International Maritime Organization continues negotiations on actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization convenes in London from 30 September to 4 October 2024. The 82nd session of the Committee continues the negotiations on global actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. The topics include the package of a possible fuel standard and a price for carbon emissions. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Minna Kivimäki attends the session on 30 September–2 October 2024.

The 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will also discuss more accurate life cycle calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The topics also include more precise regulation of the carbon intensity of ships, and energy efficiency, regulation of ballast water and possible regulation concerning underwater noise.

The Finnish delegation includes representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Government of Åland. Representatives of business and industry are also present in an advisory capacity.

Finland considers that an ambitious global emission reduction action of IMO would reduce the imbalance in the regulation of emissions from international maritime transport and in the competitive environment of shipping and business between the EU and the rest of the world. Emission reductions in shipping should primarily be promoted through sufficiently determined global actions. If determined global actions can be introduced, the significant double burden with respect to EU actions will have to be dismantled.

“The set of measures on IMO’s agenda is highly important for sustainable international shipping. As an outcome, we may even have the largest climate fund of the UN system so far,” Permanent Secretary Minna KIvimäki says. 

The goal of IMO is to reach carbon neutrality in maritime transport by or around 2050, taking national circumstances into account. The IMO member states have agreed that global actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships will be adopted in 2025. If this is achieved, the actions could enter into force in 2027. Finland considers it important that the international regulation takes the needs of winter navigation into account.

What’s next?

The Marine Environment Protection Committee convenes in London from 30 September to 4 October 2024. The negotiations will continue in April 2025. The final decisions concerning the package of measures to regulate greenhouse gas emissions are to be made in October 2025. 

Inquiries:

Ministry of Transport and Communications:

Eero Hokkanen, Chief Specialist, Deputy Permanent Representative of Finland to the IMO, tel. +358 50 476 0401, eero.hokkanen(at)gov.fi

Päivi Antikainen, Director of Unit, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 101, paivi.antikainen(at)gov.fi

Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom:

Anita Mäkinen, Chief Specialist, Deputy Permanent Representative of Finland to the IMO, tel. +358 40 162 4592, anita.makinen(at)traficom.fi