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By Dana Rodriguez<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Today marks the celebration of World Maritime Day. This year\u2019s theme \u2014 \u2018MARPOL at 50 \u2014 Our commitment goes on\u2019. This theme spotlights the 50th<\/sup> anniversary of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and encourages discussions on the next phase of the International Maritime Organization\u2019s work to promote a just transition to sustainable shipping.<\/p>\n The MARPOL Convention<\/a> was adopted in response to a series of tanker accidents in 1976 and 1977 that caused millions of gallons of fuels to spill into our oceans. Since 1973, MARPOL has evolved into a fundamental aspect of the international framework for protecting oceans, and today, it covers the prevention of pollution from ships to the marine environment.<\/p>\n In keeping with the theme of Maritime World Day, Environmental Defense Fund is reflecting on its global shipping work one year into its consultative status<\/a> at the IMO. Through engagement, collaboration and an array of scientific research, EDF has been a strong proponent of ambitious decarbonization targets, and of implementing solutions to achieve those targets in an equitable and just manner. The organization also advocates for specific mandates to adopt alternative means of propulsion and non-fossil-based fuels for the shipping sector to contribute to limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A New Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n If measured alongside countries, shipping would be among the top-ten worldwide greenhouse gas emitters. So, urgently phasing out its emissions is critical to limiting global warming.<\/p>\nThe commitment goes on: MARPOL\u2019s 50th anniversary and EDF's multi-disciplinary approach to shipping decarbonization <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n This summer was pivotal to this effort, as member states at the IMO negotiated<\/a> a revised Strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, referred to as the 2023 strategy. Countries settled on<\/a> greenhouse gas emission reduction checkpoints of up to 30% by 2030 and up to 80% by 2040, on a lifecycle basis. The IMO also set a timeline for the adoption of mid-term measures, such as a global greenhouse gas fuel standard and a greenhouse gas pricing mechanism to be implemented in 2027.\u00a0 While the commitment to reduce emissions could have been stronger, the agreement set a reachable pathway for a Paris-aligned decarbonization of the shipping sector.<\/p>\n To get to this point, EDF joined dozens of countries, businesses and NGOs at the IMO in London to help raise awareness and confidence in solutions, and advocate for a higher level of ambition in upcoming discussions. Part of this included highlighting the work of partner organizations in unlocking opportunities associated with shipping decarbonization in the Global South and engaging fuel producers and original equipment manufacturers in a Call to Action<\/a> asking for a more ambitious revised greenhouse gas strategy.<\/p>\n
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