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The European Union looks to enforce stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions from ships during high-level talks in London this week, risking a fresh clash with the United States, which last October blocked a global tax on carbon emissions.
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The London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) had hoped governments would back its “net-zero framework” for shipping, which would impose charges per metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted above certain limits.
However, the proposal was rejected during talks at the UN maritime body last autumn, with 57 countries voting in favour of a one-year delay, including the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
While no vote is expected during the April round of talks, EU countries have been instructed to act together to support climate goals in line with international commitments and the bloc’s target of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, according to a letter seen by Euronews.
“Member states, on behalf of the Union, shall oppose any attempts to remove the IMO Net-Zero Framework,” the letter states.
At the same time, they were asked to push to ensure that any new measures do not disadvantage European shipping, underlining the need for fair global competition.
IMO calls for ‘constructive talks’
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged delegates to engage in constructive and pragmatic discussions, saying “there is no need to repeat what happened last October”, when US President Donald Trump blocked the vote, with several reports suggesting Washington pressured some countries over trade tariffs.
“Let us move forward where we agree and continue to work on areas where further effort and understanding are needed. At a time when there is already enough disagreement around the world, I ask that we set an example of effective multilateralism,” Dominguez said on 27 April.
Anaïs Rios, senior policy officer for shipping and climate at the NGO Seas at Risk, criticised the US Trump administration’s pushback against “any progress towards clean energy”, which she said has left many countries undecided.
“Progress is at risk of stalling amid continued opposition and delays to anything that could advance the framework towards decarbonising shipping, which was approved last year but has yet to be adopted,” said Rios, who is attending the IMO talks.
Defending and exporting domestic climate goals
The EU’s net-zero rules for shipping require a 2% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, rising to 6% in 2030 and gradually increasing to 80% by 2050 for ships above 5,000 gross tonnage.
While the bloc aims to defend its climate goals, it also intends to work closely with international partners through the IMO to develop global rather than regional solutions, the letter states, as international shipping accounts for around 2–3% of global emissions.
Brussels insists any final agreement must still meet the agreed target of net-zero emissions by 2050. However, it also stresses that the transition must preserve the competitiveness of Europe’s maritime sector and ensure a global level playing field.
The approach reflects an underlying tension, as the bloc risks placing its own industry at a disadvantage if other countries do not match its level of ambition.
A revised compromise text currently under discussion at the London talks has secured broad backing among EU countries, although Greece, Italy and Malta remain cautious, according to two EU diplomats.
Pricing shipping emissions
Countries voted in April 2025 on adopting a global framework to introduce a carbon price on shipping emissions, aimed at helping the industry decarbonise and encouraging cleaner technologies.
On 16 October 2025, a simple majority of 54 votes was required for adoption, but the proposal fell short, with 49 votes in favour.
The proposed IMO levy would range from $100 to $380 per metric ton, depending on various factors, and could generate between $30 billion and $40 billion by 2030, while delivering at least a 10% reduction in emissions from the sector, according to estimates from environmental organisations.
The carbon pricing mechanism would be paid by ship owners into a UN “Net Zero Fund”, which would be managed by the IMO and used to support green shipping innovation and reward low-emission vessels.
US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal, calling it a “global green new scam” and arguing it would drive up costs for American consumers.
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