💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship November Batch
Talk to Mentor

Air Pollution

IMO’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

Why in the News?

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) delayed a vote on its 2027 carbon pricing plan under the 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy after U.S. pressure, stalling efforts for net-zero shipping by 2050.

What the IMO is trying to achieve?

  • Decarbonisation Goal: Targets net-zero emissions in global shipping by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C limit; shipping contributes 2–3 % of global CO₂.
  • Carbon Intensity Reduction: Implements fuel-efficiency standards and CIIs to cut CO₂ per tonne-mile of cargo transported.
  • Fuel Transition: Promotes shift from heavy fuel oil to green ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and biofuels, supported by a global carbon pricing framework.
  • Equitable Transition: Upholds common but differentiated responsibilities, offering financial and technological aid to developing and island nations.
  • Market-Based Mechanisms: Developing carbon-pricing and fuel-levy systems to internalise environmental costs and fund innovation.
  • Regulatory Uniformity: Seeks to avoid fragmented regional rules (e.g., EU ETS) by maintaining global maritime emission standards.

About IMO’s 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy:

  • Adoption: Finalised in July 2023 at Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-80) (London) under the MARPOL Annex VI framework.
  • Carbon Intensity Targets: Cut 40 % by 2030 (vs 2008) and strive for 70 % by 2040.
  • Net-Zero Timeline: Achieve full sectoral decarbonisation by 2050.
  • Zero/Low-Emission Fuels: Ensure 5 % (aspire 10 %) of shipping energy from near-zero-GHG fuels by 2030; expand hydrogen and electrified propulsion.
  • Fuel & Emission Standards: Introduce Global Fuel Standard (GFS) and Global Pricing Mechanism (GPM) by 2027, covering ships above 5,000 GT (~85 % of emissions).
  • MRV Framework: Strengthen monitoring, reporting, and verification with emission databases and compliance audits.
  • Support Mechanisms: Establish GHG Fund to assist developing states in retrofits, technology adoption, and port upgrades.

Significance: 

  • Global Climate Milestone: First binding, worldwide roadmap for a high-emission transport sector outside aviation.
  • Regulatory Shift: Moves from voluntary action to enforceable standards in maritime law.
  • Strategic Impact: Positions the IMO as a key climate-governance body, linking trade regulation and environmental responsibility.
[UPSC 2024] According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?

Options: (a) Locomotives using fossil fuels

(b) Ships using fossil fuels

(c) Extraction of metals from ores

(d) Power plants using fossil fuels*

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.