Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
The European Commission has welcomed a landmark deal which aims to cut maritime pollution.
The agreement, with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is hailed as a meaningful step towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global shipping by 2050.
The EU said it was a historic deal in the fight against climate change, marking a significant advancement in reducing the environmental impact of the shipping industry on a global scale.
While the agreement does not yet ensure the sector’s full contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, it constitutes a strong foundation for starting the required energy transition of shipping, said an EC spokesman.
The EU and its Member States are said to have played a key role in securing the deal and will remain actively engaged in the lead-up to its adoption in October 2025 and implementation in 2027.
In line with the 2023 IMO strategy the agreement includes a new measure, setting a global standard for gradually reducing the GHG intensity of marine fuels.
The new measure also introduces a first global pricing mechanism for emissions, which along with financial incentives, will encourage shipping companies to use the cleanest fuels and technologies early on.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, noted, “This landmark deal highlights the strong commitment of the international maritime community to reducing the sector’s carbon footprint while ensuring a just transition and a level playing field.”
He added, “In line with the EU’s net-zero ambitions, this agreement paves the way for long-term investments across the entire maritime fuel value chain, strengthening the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness for years to come.”
“The Commission will remain actively engaged to ensure its adoption and effective implementation,” he said.
Further comment came from Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, who said, “This agreement is a significant milestone, not just for shipping decarbonisation, but for global climate action as a whole.”
“The agreement represents a key step towards achieving net-zero emissions in the maritime sector.”
“This global achievement is even more remarkable and encouraging in the current geopolitical context.”
He went on, “It shows that multilateralism remains the way to go. The Commission will continue to engage to increase IMO measures’ ambition over time.”
