MEPC 83 & ISWG GHG 18-19
Picture: (left to right) the Special Envoy Ralph Regenvanu – Vanuatu; Hon. Minister Simon Kofe – Tuvalu; Hon. Minister Manasseh Maelanga – Solomon Islands; IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez; Hon. Minister Hilton Kendall – Marshall Islands; and Hon. Minister Antony Derjacques – Seychelles (Picture date: 2-10-2024).
[Majuro, Wednesday, 8 January 2025] – The 6PAC+ Alliance, a coalition of like-minded high-ambition Pacific, Caribbean and African Island nations, continues to push for watertight measures to deliver the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2023 GHG Strategy in full. At the core of our proposals is a call to establish a GHG levy as the centerpiece of mid-term measures. These measures are designed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050, with ambitious intermediate targets for 2030 and 2040 while ensuring a just and equitable transition, one that leaves no State and no seafarer behind.
The 6PAC+ submissions come at a critical juncture in international maritime decarbonization negotiations. The IMO must reach agreement on the basket of measures to implement its 2023 Strategy for decarbonising shipping in April 2025 and the measures need to be operational no later than 2027 to stay on track for a 1.5 degree-aligned pathway.
This requires agreement on the text for a new Chapter of International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, more commonly known as MARPOL, the IMO’s global regulations for preventing pollution from ships. Annex VI of this Convention regulates substances from ships that are released into the air, and the new Chapter to this would set out legally binding regulations for GHG emissions from the ships.
6PAC+ is co-sponsoring a proposal alongside a diverse and growing number of countries from the Pacific, Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as industry stakeholders. This proposal presents a consolidated draft text for the new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI, by proponents of a Universal GHG Levy.
Additional 6PAC+ proposals on the Goal of this new chapter and the Revenue Disbursement and Fund Management have received widespread support, from the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, Nauru, Belize, and Palau. These endorsements highlight the universal appeal and scientific credibility of the Alliance’s strategy, which prioritizes both mitigation of the GHG emissions from shipping at source and fair reparation of the damage caused to people and the environment.
Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Marshall Islands Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonization, emphasizes: “The GHG levy is a defining moment for global maritime policy. For frontline nations like ours, this is more than an environmental initiative—it’s about securing a just and sustainable future for all. This levy is not just an effective mechanism for reducing emissions but a vital tool to level the playing field, enabling the most vulnerable to not only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing world. The time to act is now, with a united global commitment that leaves no nation behind.”
Special Envoy Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment, added: “The recent devastation caused by the earthquake in Vanuatu is a stark reminder of our vulnerability in the face of the environmental crisis. These submissions are not only about justice but also survival—ensuring that countries like mine, already bearing the brunt of environmental and economic shocks, have the support and tools to adapt and rebuild. The GHG levy is a lifeline, a critical step toward a decarbonized shipping sector that doesn’t exacerbate the challenges we face but instead paves the way for a resilient and equitable transition for all.”
The Submissions
- The Goal of the proposed new chapter to MARPOL Annex VI
To ensure measures will deliver on the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy, 6PAC+ proposes the following “goal” text: “Effectively promoting the energy transition of shipping and providing the world fleet with the needed incentive while contributing to a level playing field and a just and equitable transition.” This goal underscores the interconnected nature of environmental and economic equity. This submission does not provide a new goal text, but reiterates the unanimously adopted text from the 2023 GHG Strategy, to ensure negotiations do not water down the hard-fought compromise. - Consolidated Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on a GHG Levy/Contribution
This submission builds upon the growing consensus around the unique ability of a Levy to achieve all the goals and objectives of the 2023 IMO Strategy. The amendments are expected to operationalise a mandatory levy on all GHG emissions from ships, set at rates informed by scientific analysis. The submission, which is broadly co-sponsored by developing countries, SIDS, LDCs, developed countries, and industry actors demonstrates that a levy/contribution is the only solution that can effectively promote the energy transition of shipping and provide the world fleet with a needed incentive while contributing to a level playing field and a just and equitable transition. By embedding this levy within the MARPOL Annex VI amendments, the framework ensures a robust, enforceable, and transparent mechanism for global shipping decarbonization. - Revenue Disbursement Proposal
The second submission outlines key revenue disbursement purposes for the byproduct revenues which would constitute the minimum required to achieve a Just and Equitable Transition that leaves no country and no one behind. These purposes include capacity building in SIDS and LDCs, workforce training, and infrastructure investments in eligible developing countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs, to support the energy transition. Revenues will also address disproportionately negative impacts (DNI) on vulnerable states, ensuring a holistic approach to mitigating economic and social challenges arising from the decarbonization measures. - Establishment of an IMO GHG Strategy Implementation Fund
This submission proposes the creation of a central Fund to manage and disburse revenues from the measures. Moving quickly to establishing the architecture for managing the revenues is essential for meeting the IMO’s ambitious timelines. The Fund’s governance framework includes dedicated representation for SIDS and LDCs, ensuring their needs are prioritized. It also emphasizes transparency and efficiency in revenue management, aligning with the IMO’s long-term strategy on greenhouse gas reductions.
Additional Context
The 6PAC+ proposals align with the outcomes of discussions at IMO’s 17th Intersessional Working Group on GHGs (ISWG-GHG 17) in September 2024, where the growing consensus among member states for a universal GHG levy, with support expanding to African nations and other developing countries was noted. Other developments included the recognition of the need for well-targeted revenue disbursements to address food security concerns and support for landlocked developing countries and calls for the IMO to play a central role in overseeing fund governance and ensuring equitable revenue allocation.
The Alliance’s submissions also build on recommendations for adopting ambitious GHG fuel standard trajectories, to meet the agreed targets of a 61% reduction in GHG intensity by 2030 and a 91% reduction by 2040. These targets are critical for incentivizing a swift and sustainable energy transition within the maritime sector.
Widespread Support
These submissions have drawn support from a broad coalition of nations and organizations, reflecting their universal appeal. Industry actors, NGOs, and observer organizations at the IMO have echoed the importance of these measures in ensuring a just and equitable transition. Additionally, several more countries and organizations are in the process of joining this effort.
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About 6PAC+
6PAC+ is an alliance of six Pacific Island nations advocating for climate action at the international level, particularly within the IMO. The coalition seeks to ensure that climate policies in the shipping industry are equitable, aligning with the principles of justice and the 1.5°C climate target.
About MCST
The Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport (MCST), a Marshall Islands government-owned institution, is dedicated to promoting sustainable transport solutions in the Pacific region and beyond. MCST collaborates with various stakeholders to address the challenges of climate change and support the transition to a low-carbon future.
Download a copy of the press release here.
Submission 1: MARPOL: ISWG-GHG 18-2-6 – Proposed draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI on revenue disbursement purposes to ensure a Just and Equitable Transition that leaves no country, and no seafarer, behind
Executive Summary
In support of document ISWG-GHG 18/2/5 (Austria et al.), this document elaborates on rationale in support of Option 1 in paragraph 9, regulation X [Distribution of revenue] as set out in annex to document ISWG-GHG 18/2/5, and explains how revenue disbursement purposes, as set out in this option, are required to achieve the goals and objectives of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, including ensuring a just and equitable transition (JET) that leaves no Member State, and no seafarer behind.
These purposes are vitally necessary and must also be determined by their ability to ensure a JET which recognizes and addresses disproportionate negative impacts, as well as climate impacts on the most climate vulnerable Member States, and that the maritime workforce, including seafarers, receives the support required so that the transition to phase out GHG emissions is truly global in nature.
Download the full submission here.
Submission 2: FUND: ISWG-GHG 18-2-20 – Specifying the economic measure
Executive Summary
In support of documents ISWG-GHG 18/2/5 (Austria et al.) and ISWG-GHG 18/2/6 (Bahamas et al.) this document provides comments on the further work that will be needed in order to operationalize the IMO GHG Strategy Implementation Fund (the Fund) through the development of guidelines/charter. This document describes the importance of the development of that detail as a matter of urgency, as the detailed specification is critical for ensuring that the impacts on States of the mid-term measures can be understood at the point of their adoption.
This document proposes that whilst finalization of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI should be the priority for work up to MEPC 83, the guidelines/charter relating to the Fund will need rapid development thereafter, and proposes a way forward to enable that.
Download the full submission here.
Submission 3: GOAL: ISWG-GHG 18-2-19 – Specifying the Goal of the basket of measures as Specified in the Amendment of MARPOL Annex VI
Executive Summary
The 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships committed to “reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, aims to phase them out as soon as possible, while promoting, in the context of this Strategy, a just and equitable transition”. To ensure that the mid-term measures to be approved at MEPC 83 deliver on the full scope of this vision, the co-sponsors propose that the following text (from paragraph 4.5 of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy) serves as the “Goal” text in the new chapter five of the proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex VI:
“effectively promoting the energy transition of shipping and providing the world fleet with a needed incentive while contributing to a levelplaying field and a just and equitable transition.”
Download the full submission here.
Submission 4: REVENUE DISTRIBUTION: ISWG-GHG 18_2_5 – Consolidation of the proposals for an economic element of the mid-term measures based on a GHG levy_contribution
Executive Summary
Some of the proponents of a GHG levy/contribution put forward a consolidation of their proposals during MEPC 82, which was seen as a work in progress by the Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. Proponents of the GHG levy/contribution have continued their efforts intersessionally to prepare consolidated draft text, as amendments to MARPOL Annex VI for approval at MEPC 83, which is annexed to this document.
The Working Group is requested to note the broad agreement/support for the need of a GHG levy/contribution as an indispensable element in the IMO “net-zero framework”, as demonstrated by the list of co-sponsors. The document calls for the use of the annex as a base document to continue integrating proposals for an economic element.
Download the full submission here.
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