The First Intersessional Meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Working Group on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships convened from 23-27 June 2008 in Oslo, Norway.

The meeting sought to develop the technical basis for reduction mechanisms that may form part of a future IMO regime to control GHG emissions from international shipping. Participants drafted actual reduction mechanisms for further consideration by the Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). In particular, the Oslo meeting made progress on developing a mandatory CO2 Design Index for ships and an interim CO2 operational index. Once finalized, the Design Index will serve as a fuel-efficiency tool at the design stage of ships, enabling the fuel efficiency of different ship designs, or a specific design with different input. Delegates also held extensive discussions on best practices for voluntary implementation and economic instruments with GHG-reduction potential. The MEPC, which is expected to approve the proposed reduction mechanisms, will meet for its 58th session in London, UK, from 6-10 October 2008. IMO is currently working in accordance with a plan that is due to culminate in 2009, with the adoption of a binding instrument. IMO is working to have measures in place to control GHG emissions from international shipping before the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2011.
Links to further information
IMO’s background document on the Working Group
IMO press release, 1 July 2008
IMO press release, 16 June 2008