Page 36 - Islands Business September 2023

Shipping

WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT MEPC80 IS
BEHIND US?

By Maria Sahib to no GHG emissions, underscore the urgency of investing in
machinery and fuels with near-zero and zero GHG emissions.
Next year, the delegates of the 6PAC Plus will be back This also prompts a comprehensive assessment of potential
in London to determine the basket of measures that will risks and benefits associated with ongoing and future
accompany the newly adopted strategy to limit greenhouse investments. A significant number of investors are inclined
gas (GHG) emissions of international shipping. The 6PAC towards greater certainty, which is achievable through
Plus (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon the transformation of the strategy into a formal policy, as
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) have been in these waters anticipated by the recently adopted timetable (expected by
before and are again preparing to face the perils lurking 2025). During the interim phase, uncertainties arise from the
beneath the still waters of these upcoming negotiations. translation of ambiguities within the strategy into detailed
From June 26 to July 7, 2023, the members of 6PAC Plus International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
underwent an extensive two-week period marked by their Ships (MARPOL) amendments and the approach to be taken
participation in the Intercessional Working Group (ISWG)-GHG for implementing and ensuring compliance.
15 and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC80) What is already understood is that remote developing
meetings held at the International Maritime Organisation countries, particularly those heavily reliant on imports for
(IMO) headquarters in London. Among these delegates, the essential goods, such as the Pacific Small Island Developing
states with low ambition found cause for celebration, while States (SIDS), are already grappling with substantial shipping
those with high ambition felt a sense of disappointment. costs. Similarly, export-oriented developing nations engaged
The revised initial IMO strategy, which emerged from these in the trade of low-value bulk commodities or operating
discussions, fell far short of even constituting a bare minimum far from their target markets (or both) are apprehensive
to uphold the ambitious 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature about the potential repercussions of global (and regional)
target. The text of the revised strategy presented to the regulations on trade dynamics and import expenditures.
Pacific delegation was notably deficient, prompting them to The Comprehensive Impact Assessment (CIA), slated
confront the decision of whether to accept its shortcomings to present an interim report during MEPC 81 and a final
or oppose it, fully aware that it would inevitably gain report at MEPC 82, promises to provide a much more
adoption regardless of their stance. intricate examination of the effects of these measures. The
Nevertheless, undeterred by this predicament, the 6PAC CIA should facilitate the identification and mitigation of
Plus embarked on an earnest campaign of advocacy, leading disproportionately adverse consequences within the purview
to the incorporation of more robust interim checkpoints of the IMO.
for the years 2030 and 2040. The indicative checkpoints While Member States are bound to approach the
outlined in the strategy’s framework, calling for 20% and 70% formulation of a basket of measures with distinct
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 levels, requirements, viewpoints and limitations once more, it
demand substantial overhauls in both the global fleet and its remains imperative that a collective outcome is equitable and
energy sources. However, these targets, while necessitating pursued in the best interests of all Members. Undoubtedly, the
significant changes, still fall short of the comprehensive value inherent in a global basket of environmentally stringent
measures advised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate measures cannot be downplayed.
Change (IPCC) to align with the temperature objective
set forth in the Paris Agreement. Although not perfectly Maria Sahib is a member of the Micronesian Centre for
congruent with the IPCC’s guidance, these objectives do Sustainable Transport. The opinions expressed in this article
represent a closer approximation. are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
The implications of the revised IMO strategy are significant opinions of this publication.
both on renewable energy and fossil fuel investments. The
outlined actions for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
in the strategy, coupled with its heightened aspiration to
adopt technologies, fuels, and energy sources with minimal

36 Islands Business, September 2023