IMO at COP 21

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In pursuing its mission – safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans – IMO works vigorously and consistently towards developing a comprehensive regulatory regime aimed at protecting the marine environment.

IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has been considering, as an important part of its agenda, actions to address GHG emissions from ships engaged in international trade. It met for its 68th session (MEPC 68) from 11 to 15 May 2015, at IMO Headquarters in London with the participation of 99 Member States, 1 United Nations body, 5 intergovernmental organizations and 52 non-governmental organizations.  

MEPC 68 continued its work on further developing guidelines to support the uniform implementation of the regulations on energy-efficiency for ships that entered into force on 1 January 2013 under MARPOL Annex VI. Furthermore, progress was made on the development of text to be the full language for a data collection system for fuel consumption of ships that can be readily used for voluntary/mandatory application of the system. 

IMO is also continuing its efforts with regard to technical co-operation and capacity building to ensure uniform implementation and enforcement of the aforementioned new regulations worldwide and has been focusing on the implementation of resolution MEPC.229(65) on Promotion of technical co-operation and transfer of technology relating to the improvement of energy efficiency of ships. 

It is against this backdrop that IMO will participate in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21/CMP 11) in Paris, France, starting on 30 November 2015. An update of IMO's work to address GHG emissions from bunker fuels used for international shipping will be provided to the forty-third session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 43) under agenda item 10(c) – Emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport. 

IMO will provide information on its role as the international shipping regulator through an official submission and at side events. 

IMO's objectives for COP 21/CMP 11 

IMO's main objectives for the Paris Conference (COP 21/CMP 11) are: 

  • In all communications seek to make clear that, as its track record to date so clearly demonstrates, IMO is the appropriate international body to continue work to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships engaged in international trade;
  • in all communications seek to make clear that international shipping regulations are currently applied to all ships according to the non-discriminatory principle on which the IMO regulatory framework is based; and
  • the interests of developing countries are fully taken into account, through IMO's Technical Cooperation Programme and the implementation of resolution MEPC.229(65) on Promotion of Technical Co-operation and Transfer of Technology relating to the Improvement of Energy Efficiency of Ships.