UNFCCC NEGOTIATION TEXT
Members will be interested to note that UNFCCC published negotiation text related to international shipping in the lead up to COP 15 in Copenhagen (see extract below). It will be noted that the text aligns well with assumptions proposed to the Executive Committee, in a presentation made by the ICS secretariat, on Monday 18 May.
The text (extracted from FCCC/AWGLCA/2009/8 of 19 May 2009) is the negotiating text offered as a starting point for the next round of discussion in the UNFCCC Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action. In respect of international shipping, it must be anticipated that one of the three options offered will be incorporated into the expected Copenhagen agreement. In determining which of the three options could be chosen, clearly much depends on the degree to which IMO can demonstrate control of the issue in the negotiation meetings leading up to Copenhagen. As noted at the ICS AGM, it is important for national associations to assure their Administration of their confidence that IMO can deliver GHG reduction instruments and the support of the industry for this way forward. ICS will continue to support the role of IMO at the various UNFCCC meetings and to brief on the unfolding ICS position.
QUOTE
International bunker fuels
135. All sectors of the economy should contribute to limiting emissions, including international maritime shipping and aviation. Sectoral approaches could address emissions that cannot be attributed to any particular economy, and multilateral collaborative action would be the most appropriate means to address emissions from international aviation and the maritime transport sector.
136. Option 1
The International Maritime Organization shall be encouraged to continue without delay its activities for the development of policies and measures to reduce GHG emissions, and specifically:
(a) To achieve, through the use of its policies and mechanisms, total GHG emission reductions which are at least as ambitious as the total GHG emission reductions under the
Convention;
(b) To report regularly to the COP {and its subsidiary bodies as appropriate} on relevant activities, emission estimates and achievements in this respect;
(c) To report to the COP {at its seventeenth session} on policies, established measures, measures under development, and expected emission reductions resulting from these measures.
137. Option 2
Parties shall take the necessary action to reduce emissions of GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol from aviation and marine bunker fuels. Global reduction targets for such emissions from aviation and marine bunker fuels shall be set as equal to, respectively, {X per cent} and {Y per cent} below {year XXXX} levels in the commitment period {20XX to 20XX}. Units from existing and potential new flexibility mechanisms may contribute towards achieving these targets.
Parties shall work through the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization to enable effective international agreements to achieve these targets to be approved by 2011. Such agreements should not lead to competitive distortions or carbon leakage. Parties shall assess progress in the implementation of this work, and take action to advance it, as appropriate.
138. Option 3
{Parties}{Annex I Parties} shall pursue limitation or reduction of emissions of GHGs not controlled by the Montreal Protocol from aviation and marine bunker fuels, working through the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization, respectively.
UNQUOTE