In April 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will host the 83rd meeting of its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MPEC). With a focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction reforms, the outcomes of this meeting are expected to reshape the future of sustainable shipping and result in significant amendments to global marine regulations.1 As international shipping is not considered in the Paris Agreement, these changes will also fill a prominent gap in global obligations.
The IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that aims to prevent atmospheric and marine pollution caused by shipping. The body aims to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,2 with a particular focus on Development Goal 13, being to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
In 2018, the MEPC released an initial strategy to reduce the impact of GHG emissions from international shipping. Since then the strategy has been developed further, with a revised plan formed following the end of the MEPC’s 82nd meeting in October 2024.3
The latest strategy to reduce emissions have technical and economic elements. The technical element focuses on reducing GHG intensive marine fuels and encouraging uptake of zero and near-zero GHG emission technologies. The economic element introduces an emissions pricing mechanism requiring all ships, regardless of original jurisdiction, to adopt the mandatory measures detailed in the strategy.
The IMO has also undertaken a range of other initiatives to support this strategy, such as funding schemes to provide financial support; technical knowledge to support governments in adopting measures; and development of policy and training programs.4 These schemes focus on assisting small island development states and least developed countries.
To resolve any outstanding points surrounding the strategy, the MEPC scheduled a range of Intersessional Working Group meetings to be held in advance of the anticipated final review and approval of strategy in April, and formal adoption in October 2025. A reviewed and updated version of the strategy is scheduled to be adopted in autumn 2028 after the 88th meeting of the MEPC.
This year’s MEPC meeting marks a significant milestone in the IMO’s long-term commitment to reducing emissions from international shipping. With key regulatory updates on the horizon, the industry is set to navigate a transformative shift towards more sustainable maritime practices.
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1International Maritime Organisation, ‘IMO makes progress on net-zero framework for shipping’ (Press Release, 08 October 2024).
2United Nations, ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, (Web Page) <https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda>.
3International Maritime Organisation, ‘2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships’, (Web Page) <https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/2023-IMO-Strategy-on-Reduction-of-GHG-Emissions-from-Ships.aspx#:~:text=The%202023%20IMO%20GHG%20 Strategy%20envisages%2c%20in%20particular%2c%20a%20reduction>.
4Ibid.
