Representatives of poor countries suffering from the consequences of climate change fear that leading powerful economies will not support a decarbonization agreement in shipping, the implementation of which would provide additional funding to affected regions. This is reported by The Guardian, writes UNN.
Details
Poor countries have accused the rich world of "retreating" from climate commitments as part of a course to reduce carbon emissions in maritime transport.
Representatives from 175 countries gathered this week in London at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to discuss the details of a global decarbonization agreement in shipping over the next 25 years, which has been in development for the past 10 years.
If the most ambitious version of the document is implemented, all ships will be required to pay a small fee for greenhouse gas emissions based on their technical parameters. The collected funds will go to finance climate measures in poor countries. This fee is seen as an important source of funding for poor countries that are experiencing increasing economic destruction due to extreme weather conditions.
But powerful economies, including China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, are opposed to the tax. And other developed countries, including the EU, may agree to its sharp weakening.
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IMO negotiations on a climate levy in shipping officially began on Monday and are scheduled to conclude on Friday. They are the culmination of a series of attempts to control carbon emissions from shipping, which have been ongoing for more than a decade. Shipping accounts for more than 2% of global emissions – about the same share as Japan – and without urgent action, it will grow.
Representatives of poor countries say that the negotiations are already falling apart and that the environment will "lose" as a result. Marshall Islands Ambassador Albon Ishoda, speaking on behalf of an alliance of Pacific and Caribbean small island states, said that rich and large developed countries are "retreating" from their promises.
It's hard to understand what these countries are thinking. "Maybe they are concerned about their national sovereignty. But we base our argument for decarbonization and the collection of shipping on scientific grounds. The most vulnerable countries are acting like adults in the room
The diplomat noted that in 2023, governments agreed on a roadmap for decarbonizing shipping by 2050, and called on partners to implement it in accordance with international agreements. "We need large economies to start showing leadership. We all see what is right – let them do what is right," said Albon Ishoda.
Tuvalu's Minister of Transport, another member of the 6Pac+ small island alliance, Simon Kofe, said that the decarbonization fee in shipping will have a minimal impact on consumer goods prices. "Concerns about the impact of the tax on trade and consumer prices are understandable, but they are exaggerated," he said.
The cost of shipping by sea is only about 1% to 5% of the final price of most consumer goods. And the transition to low-carbon technologies, according to IMO forecasts, will increase shipping costs by only 1% to 9%.
Our proposal for a levy stipulates that the costs of pollution will be borne by those responsible. By setting a tax directly on emissions, we uphold the principles of fairness, accountability and climate justice, ensuring that no country is left behind in the transition to a cleaner future
Let us remind you
IMO negotiations are taking place against the background of the aggravation of the customs war in international trade, started by the USA. US President Donald Trump has radically increased tariffs on exports to the US from almost all countries except Russia and South Korea. A number of countries are adopting mirror decisions.