A significant initiative aimed at reducing global shipping emissions has been halted following the conclusion of talks in London, where Saudi Arabia and the United States played pivotal roles in ending discussions. The agreement, initially reached in April, sought to establish internationally mandated targets for emissions reductions in the shipping industry, marking it as a potential first for any global sector.
The meeting saw participation from over 100 countries, with various representatives expressing differing views on the plan. Notably, the US administration, under President Trump, had previously criticized the proposal, labeling it a “green scam.” During the course of the talks, the US reportedly warned other nations of potential tariffs should they support the initiative. In light of this pressure, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization made an appeal against such tactics, emphasizing the importance of collaborative discussions.
On the last day of deliberations, Saudi Arabia introduced a motion to adjourn the talks for one year, which resulted in the suspension of the deal due to necessary timeline revisions being disrupted. This motion, which passed by a narrow margin, saw backing from the US, Russia, and several other countries. The UK and most EU member states advocated for the continuation of the talks, although some nations, including Greece, chose to abstain from voting.
Interestingly, some countries that had previously supported the deal, such as the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, later switched their stance and voted to delay progress. A delegate from Vanuatu indicated that these decisions were influenced by heavy diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration, as these island nations heavily depend on US trade relations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vnl0yxg53o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss