Proposed measures to tackle the shipping industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are weak, according to the US government. Washington’s delegation to the IMO told the MEPC meeting that a short-term measure expected to be adopted next week should not be further watered down. The remark came in opposition to a proposal to the MEPC to add a clause for general waivers and exemptions for ships from these measures. “In our view, it [the clause] would significantly weaken the effectiveness of what we consider is already a weak measure and without adequate justification,” the US delegate said.

This new short-term measure is part of a package aimed at targeting the operational and technical efficiency of ships and aims to help international shipping achieve its target of reducing average carbon intensity by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 2008. The measures have been criticized by environmental groups and some countries, mostly European ones, for lacking ambition and having a weak enforcement mechanism. The US disapproval became apparent during recent preliminary negotiations when the country suggested higher levels of ambition for the measures.

The comment on June 10 was the first public criticism, marking an official departure from the country’s emissions stance at the IMO over the previous four years under the Donald Trump administration. This is the first MEPC to be held since President Joe Biden came into office. His administration has said it wants the IMO to increase its 2050 target to absolute zero emissions from international shipping. The IMO will revise its GHG strategy and its emissions targets in 2023.

The proposal for the exemptions and waivers from compliance with parts of the measures was made by Antigua and Barbuda, the Cook Islands, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu. The countries said this waiver should be put in place owing to negative impacts that could disproportionately affect developing nations, especially small island developing states and the least developed countries.

The impacts of new emission measures on countries, especially developing ones, coupled with the different responsibilities developed nations have to combating climate change is a major component of international climate policy. However, the vast majority of the 50 countries that spoke about the impact of the measures disagreed with adding this general exemption at this point in time, arguing that it would undermine the proposal. Aside from the US, multiple European countries, Canada, Mexico and others opposed the waivers.

Most countries instead backed a proposal by the Solomon Islands to review whether there would be any disproportionate effects on countries from the measure. This would be three years after it is put into effect, which would be November 2022, if the MEPC adopts it next week. The discussion about this issue is not officially over and the meeting will continue its deliberations on June 14. About 20 more countries have asked to discuss the matter. The MEPC, which is due to conclude on June 17, is already a day behind schedule.