The European Parliament has just released a briefing paper in consideration of the 72th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) where it was agreed within the IMO that emissions from international shipping need to peak as soon as possible and to reduce the total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, in-line with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.

Prior to the postponement of MEPC75 due to the Covid-19 crisis, criticism regarding the slow rate of progress under the IMO process has mounted by more ambitious nations (including SHAC members and Pacific Island Countries) as well as key NGOs. In response, the EU is continuing to support the IMO process and advocate higher levels of ambition on GHG reductions, but also preparing unilateral policies if an IMO decision on concrete short-term actions fails to materialize.

Please find more details at the link below:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2020/652754/IPOL_BRI(2020)652754_EN.pdf