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IMO: Mitigating air pollution

from shipsOceans Day

Copenhagen 14 December 2009

Karin Sjolin-FruddSenior Adviser

Marine Environment Division International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

• A specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1948 – working since 1958

• 169 Member States• Mandated to develop and maintain a

comprehensive regulatory framework for all aspects of shipping - 51 treaty instruments

• Safety, environment, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security, seafarer’s training and certification and efficiency of shipping  

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IMO’s environmental work • Up to 1990’s the main emphasis was on

prevention and control of pollution by oil, chemicals, sewage and garbage

From then on:

• regulatory work expanded to atmospheric protection: prevention of air pollution and reduction of GHG emissions

With the aim of protecting human health, reducing ocean acidification and combatting climate change

IMO’s roleFocus on environment

• 51 treaty instruments

• 21 directly environment related

• 23 if environmental aspects of the Salvage and Wreck Removal Conventions are included

Reduction in serious oil spills (source: ITOPF)

Air pollution preventionAir pollution prevention

• MARPOL Annex VI – Adopted in 1997– Regulates emissions of SOx, NOx and VOCs

. MARPOL Annex VI revised– Annex VI adopted in 2008, entry into force in 2010– Requires drastic and progressive reductions in

NOx and SOx (and therefore in particulate matter)– Emission Control Areas (ECAs)

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IMO’S WORK ON GHG EMISSIONSSummary of Second GHG Study 2009

• Carbon dioxide is the most important GHG emitted by ships

• International shipping: 2.7% of the global anthropogenic CO2

• With no regulations, ship emissions may increase significantly as shipping grows with world trade – ACT NOW

Scenarios for CO2 emissions from International Shipping from 2007 to 2050 in the absence of climate policies

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IMO’S WORK ON GHG EMISSIONS

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has developed:

•Technical measures (Energy Efficiency Design Index – EEDI)

•Operational measures (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan – SEEMP – and Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator – EEOI)

And is considering a number of market-based mechanisms for further development.

IMO is READY to take regulatory action on the technical and operational measures in 2010, provided…

IMO OBJECTIVES AT COP 15

1.THAT UNFCCC PARTIES CONTINUE ENTRUSTING IMO WITH THE REGULATION OF GHG EMISSIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING; AND

2.THAT THE SUBSEQUENT IMO REGULATORY REGIME BE APPLIED TO ALL SHIPS

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You are welcome to visit our exhibition booth at the Bella Centre for more material and information

THANK YOU

www.imo.org