US Intimidation Leaves Future of Shipping Uncertain But Appetite for Green Future Remains - CleanTechnica

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has postponed the vote to adopt the landmark Net-Zero Framework (NZF) for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by one year, delaying the decision until October 2026. This delay resulted from pressure and obstruction tactics by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, undermining years of progress on the IMO’s climate plan. The postponement risks the framework not coming into force until 2030, prolonging uncertainty in the shipping sector’s decarbonization efforts. Despite the setback, there remains strong global interest in advancing a greener shipping industry. Environmental groups emphasize the need for climate-ambitious countries to build a coalition supporting meaningful emission reductions, rather than allowing geopolitical interests to stall progress. The additional time before adoption is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the NZF by incorporating clear incentives for scalable green e-fuels and safeguards against biofuel-driven deforestation. Meanwhile, the European Union is urged to continue enhancing its own regional policies on shipping emissions