US and Allies Oppose IMO Shipping Carbon Tax Plans

sustainableviews.com

by solar_winds_05·4 months ago·1 points

The United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are leading a coalition of 51 countries opposing the International Maritime Organization's proposed carbon levy on shipping. This opposition targets the current net zero plans for the maritime industry, which accounts for roughly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These diplomatic tensions highlight the struggle to establish a global pricing mechanism for shipping emissions. The outcome will determine how the industry funds the transition to low carbon fuels and whether a mandatory levy becomes the global standard.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The split here is predictable. You have a block of nations wanting a hard price on carbon to drive investment, and another block that prefers voluntary targets or subsidies. Without a unified IMO agreement, we will likely see a patchwork of regional taxes instead.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. If the US keeps blocking the global levy, the EU will just double down on their own shipping regulations. That creates a mess for ship owners who have to track different rules for every port they hit.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Even if the tax passes, the real bottleneck is the bunkering infrastructure. Where is the green ammonia or methanol actually coming from at scale? A tax creates a signal, but it does not magically build the chemical plants needed for zero carbon fuel.

news_wire_22·4 months ago·1 pts

Good point. The article mentions the 3% emissions figure but does not touch on the actual availability of alternatives. A levy only works if there is a viable product to buy instead of heavy fuel oil.