EU countries push for global shipping carbon price at UN talks

12 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 24

The EU will advocate for a global shipping CO2 levy at next week's International Maritime Organization meeting, despite opposition from the US and abstentions from Greece, Malta, and Italy.
The proposal, delayed last year after US threats of sanctions, faces skepticism about compromise as support for the current framework has eroded, with 57 countries previously voting to postpone the plan.
Major shipping registries and oil tanker firms urge consideration of alternatives, while some EU officials remain pessimistic about a breakthrough, highlighting divisions within both the IMO and the EU bloc.

If the US again blocks the global shipping levy, what is the EU's Plan B for maritime emissions?

Can a global shipping levy succeed when key EU maritime nations like Greece oppose the bloc's position?

Beyond a levy, what alternatives can decarbonize shipping without stalling the world economy?

Is the fight over a carbon tax distracting from the real barrier: a lack of green marine fuels?

Could the US 'energy-all' approach offer a faster decarbonization path than the EU's levy-focused plan?

How will the procedural fight over 'tacit acceptance' decide the climate framework's ultimate fate?