Disappointment, uncertainty, frustration, failure, lost opportunity.
The enumeration could continue for several lines and that would not manage to summarize the state of mind generated by the decision to postpone -formally and officially- for a year the formal adoption of the proposed changes to advance with the decarbonisation of maritime transport, among delegates from different countries (the Europeans and the Pacific Islands in the first place), sector organizations and environmental defense groups.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was submerged in the global geopolitical dispute whose central protagonist is US President Donald Trump, with his MAGA (Make America Great Again) as the Bible of a policy that places national decisions and interests above any multilateral construction.
The final result particularly impacted the European bloc. According to a Lloyd’s List article, the behavior of Greece and Cyprus -which in an “unprecedented decision to break the EU’s voting unity and abstain in the IMO vote delayed the adoption of the Net-Zero Framework”-, generated an internal crisis in the bloc.
According to the specialized publication, the European Commission is considering initiating an infringement procedure against Greece and Cyprus for deviating from the established EU protocols that guarantee a unified vote from the bloc of 27 member states.
“It was an absolute catastrophe and what they did was a disgrace,” said a representative from an EU member state present during the IMO vote who spoke with Lloyd’s List on condition of anonymity.
Laments
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) also expressed its disappointment following the postponement to implement the first global carbon pricing mechanism for international maritime transport, towards net-zero emissions.
“We are disappointed that member states were unable to agree on a way forward,” said Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the ICS (an organization that represents all sectors and commercial activities, and covers more than 80% of the world’s merchant fleet).
Kazakos added that the industry needs clarity to make the necessary investments to decarbonize the sector, and emphasized that the maritime community remains committed to cooperating with the IMO, “which is the best organization to implement the global regulations necessary for an industry that is global.”
Trumpian Bullying
OceanCare was another of the recognized organizations that raised its voice to express the “great disappointment” caused by the result of a vote “forced by the US, Russia and the oil countries,” to delay for one year the formal adoption of the proposed changes to Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention, including the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF).
“Although the IMO’s NZF is far from being considered truly ambitious from a climate perspective, its adoption at this meeting would have been an important step towards fulfilling the IMO’s commitment and sending key signals to an industry that not only asked for a global framework but was actively supporting this agreement.
The maritime industry was also left disoriented because its uncertainties are not alleviated,” Carlos Bravo, an ocean policy specialist at OceanCare, told Trade News.
“The regrettable spectacle we witnessed at the extraordinary meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is palpable proof of the negative geopolitical situation we are currently experiencing with advances by anti-progress, anti-climate change, and anti-environment forces, which aim to undermine the United Nations system based on multilateralism,” Bravo added before mentioning that meeting participants were eyewitnesses to the “bullying by the Trump administration and the increasingly undisguised attack by oil-producing countries on policies that attempt to advance decarbonization, in this case in maritime transport.”
Multiplication of Voices
As the days passed, critical voices towards the postponement multiplied. Below are some of the statements from representatives of civil society organizations and IMO observers.
Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Climate Change, Energy, Meteorology, Geohazards, Environment and Disaster Management of the Republic of Vanuatu
“We came to London in reluctant support of the IMO’s Net Zero Framework. While it lacks the ambition demanded by climate science, it represents an important step. We regret that IMO members followed Singapore’s initial proposal to delay the adoption of the framework by 12 months, a proposal that Saudi Arabia put to a vote. This is unacceptable given the urgency we face from accelerating climate change. Furthermore, the advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea made it absolutely clear that acting on climate change is not optional. The fact that the IMO did not adopt the framework this week represents a failure by this United Nations body to act decisively on climate change. This makes the path to Belém (Brazil, where COP30 will be held next month) and beyond more difficult. But we know that international law is on our side and we will continue to fight for our people and for the planet.”
Emma Fenton, Senior Diplomacy Director at Opportunity Green
“This outcome is a devastating indictment of the lack of courage from Member States to stand in solidarity with climate vulnerable countries and deliver a just and equitable maritime transition. In the face of pressure, too many governments chose political compromise over climate justice and, in doing so, abandoned the countries suffering the worst consequences of the climate crisis. We now look to ambitious States, including those leading the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, to step up, act decisively, and demonstrate the true nature of multilateralism.”
Alisa Kreynes, Ports and Shipping Director at C40
“The failure to reach an outcome is a missed opportunity to accelerate a just and equitable transition in global shipping. Another opportunity to scale up and invest in clean fuels was lost, once again halting inclusive climate action. Small Island States and the Global South will continue to pay the highest price for this inaction.”
The success of global maritime decarbonization depends on the sector’s ability to comply with equity and leverage locally directed action. The needs of cities, local port communities, and workers must be taken into account. Despite the failure of multilateral negotiations to adopt the Net-Zero Emissions Framework, cities continue to demonstrate their leadership as catalysts for a just transition, driving the equitable decarbonization of ports, promoting the inclusive participation of local communities, leading with data, and forging unprecedented alliances beyond their traditional powers.”
Teresa Bui, Senior Climate Campaign Director at Pacific Environment
“Delaying the vote on the IMO’s Net-Zero Emissions Framework is frustrating and a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable nations. We urge IMO Member States to adopt the framework as soon as possible. The world is watching, and we will not rest until global shipping achieves real reductions in emissions, air pollution, and climate damage.”
Natacha Stamatiou, Maritime GHG Lead at Environmental Defense Fund
“The delay in adopting the Net-Zero Emissions Framework is a missed opportunity and a setback that threatens to derail the timeline agreed by countries in the IMO 2023 Strategy. Every delay means that innovation will have a harder time scaling up, inequalities will deepen, and the transition to clean shipping will be more difficult and expensive. We know that progress is possible when governments act together; they now have the opportunity to prove it. We cannot afford to wait any longer. It is vital that Member States return to the negotiating table and adopt a measure that reflects sensible ambition, one that ensures a just, equitable, and effective energy transition to secure a cleaner and fairer future for generations to come.”
Anaïs Rios, Policy Officer for Maritime Affairs at Seas At Risk
“Achieving the adoption of the Net-Zero Emissions Framework at this MEPC ES.2 session, although imperfect, was essential for shipping to remain within decarbonization targets. Emotions were running high at the IMO, with previously ambitious alliances wavering and strategy overshadowing reason. This is not the ‘United States of Shipping’. No single flag should dictate the world’s climate course. With countries like Saudi Arabia leading efforts to delay, few expected the postponement to prevail, but here we are. What matters now is that countries step up and return to the IMO with a stronger, more resolute affirmative vote that cannot be silenced. The planet and the future of shipping have no time to waste.”
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