Maritime freight transport towards zero emissions: EU and IMO measures

The recent COP28 in Dubai1 aimed to assess the world's progress on the Paris Agreement. COP26 in Glasgow2 had emphasised the difficulties facing the shipping and airline industries in cutting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To achieve climate neutrality by 2050 a 90 per cent reduction in overall transport emissions is needed. This article sets out the actions so far of two important entities, the IMO and the EU.

Starting from 2020 the European Parliament with its Resolution 2019/2956/RSP on the European Green Deal called for measures to move away from the use of heavy fuel oil and for investments in research into new technologies to decarbonise shipping, and in the development of zero-emission and green ships.