There is a call for Pacific nations maintain a leading role in reducing greenhouse emissions from the shipping industry. Pacific Island nations were central to pushing a deal that was struck by more than 170 countries at the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, to halve emissions by 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. Scientific and technical advisor at the University of the South Pacific Peter Nuttall said it is now up to the Pacific to take a leading role in the modernisation of the shipping industry.