Negotiators at the meeting of the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, seen as key to curb global warming to 1.5C since pre-industrial times, rubber-stamped a deal for shipping emissions to reach net zero “by or around” 2050. The plan also calls for shipping emissions to be slashed by at least 20% but aiming for 30% by 2030 and at least 70% but working towards 80% by 2040, despite a push from Pacific nations for more ambitious targets. The German government welcomed the agreement, calling it “an important milestone for ensuring that international shipping makes a fair contribution to reaching the temperature goals of the Paris agreement”. Transport Ministry spokesman Florian Druckenthaner said Germany had “lobbied massively” for the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The previous target was for the shipping industry to cut its emissions by at least half from 2008 to 2050.

Source: Daily Nation July 07, 2023 10:51 UTC