IMO Resolution MEPC.377(80): 2023 IMO GHG Strategy

The International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee has adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.

MEPC.377(80) was adopted on 7 July 2023.

Foreword

The Marine Environment Protection Committee, recalling Article 38(e) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) to consider and take appropriate action with respect to any other matters falling within the scope of the Organization which would contribute to the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,

Acknowledging that work to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships has been undertaken by the Organization continuously since the adoption of Conference resolution 8 on CO2 emissions from ships in September 1997, in particular, through the adoption of global mandatory technical and operational energy efficiency measures for ships under MARPOL Annex VI,

Acknowledging also the decisions of the Assembly at its thirtieth and thirty-second sessions in December 2017 and December 2021, respectively, that approved for the Organization a strategic direction to "Respond to climate change",

Recalling that the Committee at its seventy-second session (MEPC 72) in April 2018 adopted, by resolution MEPC.304(72), the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (Initial IMO GHG Strategy),

Noting that the Initial IMO GHG Strategy foresees that a revised IMO GHG Strategy should be adopted in 2023,

Recalling the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

Recalling also the Paris Agreement adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21), which identifies the long-term goal to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, as was also reaffirmed in the Glasgow Climate Pact at COP 26 and in the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan at COP 27,

Recalling further IMO Assembly resolution A.998(25) on the need to develop capacity-building for the development and implementation of new instruments and amendments to existing instruments,

Recalling that the Maritime Safety Committee at its 107th session decided to initiate work on the "Development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels",

Having considered, at its eightieth session, the draft 2023 IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships,

Adopts the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (2023 IMO GHG Strategy) as set out in the annex to the present resolution;

Acknowledges the challenges that developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS), may face in the implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy;

Also acknowledging the importance of addressing the human element, including the impact on seafarers and other maritime professionals, in the safe implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy;

Invites the Secretary-General to make adequate provisions in the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), the IMO GHG TC-Trust Fund and any other means of support related to follow-up actions to the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy that may be further decided by the Committee and undertaken by developing countries, in particular LDCs and SIDS;

Agrees to keep the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy under review with a view to the adoption of a revised IMO GHG Strategy in 2028;

Also agrees that the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy revokes the 2018 Initial IMO GHG Strategy, as from this date.