Negotiations on Net-Zero Framework postponed until the autumn, but appetite for green measures remains. Negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have ended with the Net Zero Framework (NZF) intact, despite a week of pressure and delay tactics from the United States. While the US and its allies successfully pushed for a tactical delay of the discussion until autumn, the EU and other ambitious countries refused to abandon the NZF. Felix Klann, Shipping Policy Officer at T&E, said: “It’s a relief that the Net Zero Framework survived, but the IMO can’t let delays become the new normal. Now is not the time for setting up compromises that water down the deal or kicking the can down the road. This would only be helping Trump and his petro-friends to finish the job. Ambitious governments must use the extra time to reaffirm their commitment to a real deal for net-zero. We cannot settle for a weak agreement that rubber-stamps the status quo when climate action is most needed.” The months ahead will determine whether the IMO can secure a sufficiently ambitious framework. With detailed discussions on the substance of the NZF not taking place at this week’s session, these will now resume during an additional week in September. After that, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee will meet in November to agree on a way forward. If this process fails to deliver meaningful progress, national governments should be ready to fill the gap left by international regulation, says T&E. “The EU must now hold its nerve and refuse to settle for a deal hollowed out by US pressure,” added Felix Klann, “any move to weaken the Net Zero Framework now would be a gift to the oil lobby, at a time when oil prices are spiking and the cost of inaction is higher than ever before. If ambition is lost on the way, regional action will be needed to fill in the gap.” Article from T&E.
