15 November 2011: The UNFCCC Secretariat has published submissions (FCCC/SBSTA/2011/MISC.9) from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on information relevant to emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport.

The ICAO submission describes the main outcome from the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly on international aviation and climate change, and further progress being achieved on actions requested by the Assembly in four key areas: States’ action plans and assistance to States; sustainable alternative fuels for aviation; market-based measures; and global aspirational goals. ICAO’s positions and perspectives on the work related to long-term climate change finance are also presented.

The IMO submission provides information on the first ever legally binding and global carbon dioxide standard agreed for an industry sector. Mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping were adopted by parties to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI represented in the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 62nd session held from 11-15 July 2011, in London, UK. The amendments add a new chapter 4 to Annex VI on Regulations on energy efficiency for ships to make mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships. The regulations are expected to enter into force internationally on 1 January 2013.

These submissions will be considered by the 35th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), which will take place from 28 November-3 December 2011, in Durban, South Africa. [Publication: ICAO and IMO Submissions on Emissions From Fuel Used for International Aviation and Maritime Transport]