Summary of IMO submission to UNFCCC

The 20th session of the Conference of Parties was held at Lima, Peru between 1 and 12 December 2014. The annual conference was seen as a major milestone in the global effort to agree to a comprehensive treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015. The treaty is set to be put into force from 2020. The international shipping sector remains a major stakeholder in this impending global treaty.

The global shipping industry was represented by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at COP 20. IMO, as per its annual exercise, submitted details of the progress made in implementation of measures to reduce maritime emissions to the UNFCCC before the start of the conference.

The IMO, in its submission, reported to the UNFCCC that Marine Environment Protection Committee has progressed on developing guidelines for uniform implementation of energy efficiency regulations that were enforced in 2013. The IMO also reported that the share of international shipping in global emissions fell from 2.8% in 2007 to 2.2% in 2012.

The IMO reiterated its efforts to promote energy efficiency in the shipping sector. It stated that the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships has been implemented for new ships which gives the operators the choice to use the most cost-effective technologies to improve energy efficiency of their vessels. The Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) has been established for all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above.

IMO is also considering various proposals to develop framework for collection and reporting of fuel consumption data of ships. Along with the implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency, the IMO would also work on facilitating technology transfer among countries.

In order to promote energy efficiency measures across the world, the IMO has been undertaking a series of regional and national workshops on implementation of the measures to address emissions from fuel used by international shipping. Under the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), the IMO will conduct more capacity building activities in 2015.

IMO, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has submitted a project proposal to the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to help developing countries implement energy efficiency measures adopted. The project, expected to be completed in two years, will include ten countries and will be initiated in 2015.
  Back to all Verifavia Shipping News