Delegates have approved the global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism proposal at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting. Argus Media spoke to ministerial adviser and Finland's head representative at the IMO delegation talks, Anita Irmeli, on the sidelines of the London MEPC meeting.
What is your initial reaction to the text?
We are happy and satisfied about the content of the agreed text, so far. But we need to be careful.
This week, all member states were able to vote. But in October, when adaption will take place, only those states which are parties to Marpol Annex VI will be able to vote if indeed a vote is called for, and that changes the situation a little bit.
Here when we were voting, a minority was enough — 40 votes. But if or when we vote in October, then we need two thirds of those party to Marpol Annex VI to be in favour of the text.
Will enthusiasm for the decision today remain by October?
I'm pretty sure it will. But you never know what will happen between now and and the next six months.
What is the effect of the decision on FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS?
Both FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS have a review clause. This review clause states that if we are ambitious enough at the IMO, then the EU can review or amend the regulation.
So of course, it is very important that we first consider if the approved Marpol amendments are ambitious enough to meet EU standards. Only after that evaluation, which won't be until well after October, can we consider these possible changes.
Do you think the EU will be able to adopt these the text as it stands today?
My personal view is that we can perhaps incorporate this text under FuelEU Maritime, but it may be more challenging for the EU ETS, where shipping is now included.
What was the impact of US President Donald Trump's letter on the proceedings?
EU states were not impacted, but it's difficult to say what the impact was on other states.
