The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) will convene its 82nd session from September 30, 2024, at IMO headquarters in London. The meeting will focus on environmental protection measures, including pollution prevention and mitigation strategies in the Arctic.
Ahead of the session, the Clean Arctic Alliance, a consortium of 23 environmental organizations, hosted a webinar to raise awareness of maritime industry impacts on the Arctic. Key topics discussed included black carbon emissions, emission control areas, and the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers).
Black Carbon Emissions
A significant concern at MEPC 82 will be black carbon emissions, particularly in the Arctic. Bill Hemmings, an advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, noted that despite 13 years of discussions on black carbon reduction, no concrete measures have been agreed upon. Hemmings highlighted that ship traffic in the Arctic is growing, with vessels burning cheap residual fuel oil, which contributes to high levels of black carbon, a potent short-lived climate pollutant. He advocated for the switch to cleaner marine distillate fuels, which are already in global use, to reduce black carbon emissions.
In 2021, the IMO adopted a resolution urging the use of distillate fuels to cut emissions in the Arctic, but it remains a voluntary measure. Hemmings emphasized the immediate climate benefits of reducing black carbon, especially in a region as vulnerable as the Arctic.
Emission Control Areas
Kaare Press-Kristensen of Green Global Future highlighted another key agenda item: the designation of new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) to limit sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter emissions. MEPC 82 is expected to formally approve the designation of the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as ECAs, which will come into force in March 2026. Additionally, discussions will focus on creating a North Atlantic ECA, potentially the largest geographical control area, bridging the gap between existing ECAs in Canada, Norway, Europe, and the Mediterranean.
Scrubber Use and Marine Pollution
Sam Davin from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) raised concerns about scrubbers, which are used to meet sulfur emission standards without switching to cleaner fuels. While scrubbers reduce sulfur emissions, they generate wastewater that contributes to marine pollution. This wastewater is now the second-largest source of shipping waste, toxic to marine ecosystems. Davin called for tighter regulations, stating that scrubbers pose risks, especially when they malfunction, and urged the MEPC to reconsider their use in favor of cleaner fuel alternatives.
Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and Energy Efficiency
John Maggs of the Ocean Conservancy discussed the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which measures the energy efficiency of ships. Maggs underscored the importance of the CII in meeting the IMO’s climate goals, which aim for a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 80% by 2040. However, he expressed concern that the current CII lacks enforcement and called for its revision to strengthen its impact on reducing emissions.
MEPC 82 will be critical in shaping future maritime regulations to protect the Arctic and address broader environmental challenges in the shipping industry.
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