Divisive meeting should not distract IMO from emissions goal

AS mentioned in last week's column, important talks were taking place at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. Among other topics, the UN agency's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) considered a proposal to move towards a cap on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ships.

The discussion had already been deferred from last year and followed the UN's Paris climate change talks last November and December, which led to agreement on a global action plan to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 deg C.

Contrasting views have been voiced on what was achieved at last week's meeting. IMO, in a statement, highlights MEPC's approval of mandatory requirements for ships to record and report their fuel consumption, "in a move that sends a clear and positive signal about the organization's continuing commitment to climate change mitigation".