São Paulo – Member nations of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) signed an agreement this Friday (13) to cut by 50% the greenhouse gas emissions from shipping until 2050. The meeting took place in London and the agreement was signed by over 170 countries, Brazil among them. The targets for CO2 emissions reduction were set based on 2008 emissions level.
According to information released by the Brazilian government, Brazil, as many other countries, raised concerns over this type of global target. “It could raise the costs of maritime freight, with disproportionate negative impacts on developing countries and geographically distant from their markets, insufficiently researched impacts,” said the Brazilian government in a statement to the press.
The agreement is an initial strategy. From 2019 on, the International Maritime Organization will gather data on GHG emissions from ships and technical surveys that will inform the final strategy to be adopted in 2023.
Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
