The failure to agree any concrete steps towards the decarbonisation of global shipping  has been criticised by environmental campaigners.

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships met for its 22nd meeting last week and the four days of debate end ed with  o concreate agreements.

During the meeting participants considered the following agenda items:

On efforts to address concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the Net-Zero Framework, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, the group were unable to reach an agreement.

“Following constructive discussions, the chair expressed his observation of a genuine willingness within the Group to make concrete further progress at the next ISWG-GHG meeting and work towards presenting text to MEPC 85 that adequately addresses the noted progress made in the consideration of proposals on how to address concerns raised regarding the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on the mid-term measure,” the IMO reported. “The Group invited interested delegations to continue to consult intersessionally to address remaining concerns with the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, in line with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, taking into account views expressed at the Group’s session, with a view to submitting concrete proposals reflecting enhanced convergence allowing timely adoption and effective implementation.”

However, advocacy group Transport & Environment said the failure to progress the issue was down to the self-interests of a handful of states.

It explained: “States again failed to agree on a deal following pressure from a small minority of fossil-fuel producing nations and division among progressive states.

“Negotiations at the IMO have drawn a blank for the third meeting in a row, as US and Saudi-led efforts to scupper progress were successful. With delegates from vulnerable countries highlighting the tragic cost of this year’s climate disasters, action is far too slow.”

T&E explained while pragmatic negotiators, including the EU, signalled openness to compromise measures such as avoiding a centralised fund and weakening greenhouse gas targets, US and Saudi negotiators largely held their ground.

“T&E urged negotiators not to cave to the Trump administration’s crusade to sacrifice ambitious targets in favour of fossil gas and crop biofuels – a lose-lose deal for the climate and for future-proofing the industry,” it added. “The continued failure to find an ambitious common ground not only puts shipping off course to decarbonise, but locks fossil fuel importing states and the shipping industry into continued dependency. During the Hormuz crisis, dependence on oil cost the industry roughly €340 million a day, according to T&E estimates.

“The next major IMO meeting takes place from November 30th to December 3rd. There, governments must adopt a global deal capable of decarbonising shipping by 2050, rather than giving up on the climate or delaying action again. T&E urged delegations to intensify diplomatic efforts to overcome the obstruction of the US and its allies.

“At the same time, ambitious governments must not let the ongoing delays at the IMO put the brakes on shipping’s need to decarbonise. Taking action at regional and national level on international shipping is becoming increasingly urgent in light of the IMO’s failure to move forward.”

Alex Springer, interim shipping director at T&E, concluded: “After a summer of heatwaves, droughts and record sea temperatures, the failure of states to get close to a credible deal is deeply disappointing. It leaves global shipping increasingly adrift of where it needs to be. Governments should push forward with ambitious regional measures and must not wait for a global agreement before taking action.”