Defining sustainable shipping: a case study of IMO´s policy framework
Mount Royal University | Calgary | Canada, AB
Case Study Presentation | 10am – 10.30am, MDT (Find Local Time)
Duration: 30 minutes
Platform: Google Meets
Description: The high-level discussions for a post-2030 Agenda are expected to start in 2027. In this context, a review of the International Maritime Organization´s (IMO) policy framework is needed to help identify areas of opportunity for updating its policies and regulatory mechanisms. This session presents an overview of our research on the IMO’s policy framework. The central question guiding our case study was: to what extent is an explicit definition of sustainable shipping necessary to enable the industry’s transition to net zero emissions and long term sustainability?
Our findings show that since 2018, the IMO has accelerated updates to its policy framework, with a strong focus on reducing shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, the review also reveals a gap: IMO’s framework currently lacks an explicit definition of sustainable shipping. While establishing such a definition could offer significant benefits, it would also present notable challenges. In this session, we will discuss if a clear and explicit definition should be considered in the next round of high-level policy discussions