Megan Hickling’s Post

🔵 International Maritime Organization has published the agenda preview for its 82nd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting. #marine #environment #mepc

United Nations - International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee's 82nd session (#MEPC82) has just concluded. This marks the end of a two-week marathon, which started with the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships' 17th session (ISWG-GHG 17) and continued with MEPC. I was fortunate to have participated in both as part of the German delegation. Some concrete decisions were taken by the IMO at MEPC 82, and progress was made on other topics. While nuances are many and there is still a long way toward reaching a consensus on some areas, we can summarize what happened in a few bullet points: 1️⃣ Amendments were adopted to designate the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea as new ECAs for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulphur Oxides (SOx), and Particulate Matter (PM). These will enter into force on 1 March 2026. 2️⃣ The committee continued developing mid-term GHG measures, including the establishment of a dedicated GHG Working Group to refine the candidate mid-term measures, the adoption of the "IMO net-zero framework" as a basis for amendments to MARPOL Annex VI that seeks to consolidate the pathway towards decarbonization, and the consideration of GHG Fuel Standards and market-based measures to facilitate the equitable transition for vulnerable nations, including SIDS and LDCs. 3️⃣ Work on the GHG life-cycle assessment (LCA) guidelines continued. Multiple documents about exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS or scrubbers) were referred to PPR 12 (Jan 27-31, 2025), which will likely lead to the GESAMP task force on this topic being re-opened. Another GESAMP working group on GHG LCA met between Sep 10 and 13 before MEPC, and they will continue working to present their report at MEPC.83, which will be held between April 7 and 11, 2025. These efforts will provide more accurate emission factors that can be used in future environmental risk assessments. 4️⃣ Amendments were adopted concerning ballast water management practices, aimed at ensuring compliance with the Ballast Water Management Convention, including improved ballast water record-keeping and modifications for ballast water management systems (BWMS). The Ballast Water Review Group will be re-established, and take on future work on this topic. 5️⃣ MEPC 82 adopted a resolution condemning recent attacks on merchant ships in regions such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, emphasizing the need for secure and safe navigation corridors. 6️⃣ The committee adopted best practices for reducing Black Carbon (BC) emissions in the Arctic and invited ISO to consider developing "polar fuel" standards to mitigate BC emissions in the region. Furthermore, Black Carbon emissions will be included in the terms of reference for the Fifth IMO GHG Study, which will help quantify these potent GHG emissions. I would not be exaggerating if I said that the work carried out by the IMO Secretariat and the delegates is super-human. I congratulate all who participated.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 81st session, meets in-person at IMO Headquarters in London (with hybrid participation) from 18-22 March 2024. Amongst other key agenda items, MEPC 81 is expected to discuss the implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. Following the adoption of the Revised GHG (Greenhouse Gases) Strategy in July last year, the IMO’s 81st session of MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee) will be taking place this week, with the expectation that it will finalize key mid-term measures, primarily the carbon pricing regulation and GHG fuel standard. Some progress was made last week during the sixteenth session of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from ships (ISWG- GHG 16). https://lnkd.in/eByf9HbT

As we witness the devastating effects of climate change and environmental degradation, every effort toward conserving and restoring our natural resources becomes increasingly crucial. Yet on Thursday, the full Federal Court dismissed what came to be known as the Living Wonders Climate case, ruling that it is not the Environment Minister’s responsibility to shield the environment from climate harm. This is a blow and a setback in our race to Net Zero. In its judgement, the Federal Court commented that "...the arguments on this appeal do underscore the ill-suitedness of the present legislative scheme of the [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act] to the assessment of environmental threats such as climate change and global warming and their impacts on [matters of national environmental significance] in Australia."[1] Calls to reform the EPBC Act have been ongoing for some time, and there are movements to implement new nature-positive laws in Australia. However, in its recent budget, the Albanese Government dedicated $307 million[2] towards nature-positive improvements in our laws and institutions. While that might seem like a bit of money, it's just a drop in the ocean of what the Government is prepared to hand out: "New research from the Australia Institute has found that state and federal governments provided $14.5 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel producers and major consumers in 2023-24 – the equivalent of $27,581 for every minute of every day, or $540 for every person in Australia."[3] If we are to make any progress in tackling the pressing issue of climate change, there needs to be a unified approach towards conservation. This means making hard decisions, taking bold steps and disrupting the status quo. This must include the Government taking decisive action to expedite the overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and redirecting those billions towards initiatives that will benefit nature. Anything less is lip service. 1.https://https://lnkd.in/gWJw99zs 2. https://lnkd.in/gb__TdvX 3 https://lnkd.in/gpHqFBQe

Starting today at the IMO - an intensive week covering a lot of ground (or ocean): MEPC 81 highlights: 1. Tackling climate change - Cutting GHG emissions from ships – implementing the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy - continuing discussions on economic GHG pricing mechanism and technical fuel standard 2. Energy efficiency of ships - reports on fuel oil consumption 3. Tackling marine litter – Adoption of amendments on reporting procedures for lost containers / recommendations on carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers 4. Ballast Water Management Convention implementation - experience-building phase, approval of operational guidelines and adoption of amendments to the BWM Convention 5. Proposals for Emission Control Areas 6. Implementation of the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling 7. Marine diesel engine replacing a steam system – draft MARPOL Annex VI amendments 8. Underwater noise reduction - draft action plan to be considered https://lnkd.in/eZbvuD7V #imo

MEPC.82 - Summary Report IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) - LR Summary Report. Applicability: designers, shipyards, shipowners, ships' crews, ship managers, fuel suppliers and equipment manufacturers. MEPC 82 was held from 30 September - 4 October 2024   Reducing shipping's impact on the environment is at the core of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee. The Committee covers a range issues, with the aim of minimizing shipping’s impact on the environment.    Key outcomes from MEPC 82 were:   ➡️ Adoption of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI to give effect to the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea ECAs for SOx and NOx (expected to enter force 1 March 2026). ➡️ Progression and refinement of regulatory text on Mid-term GHG measures and scheduling of a further Intersessional GHG Working Group in February 2025. ➡️ Approval of amendments to BWM.2/Circ.80/Rev.1 on 2024 Guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting. ➡️ Approved HKSRC.2/Circ.1 on Provisional guidance on the implementation of the Hong Kong and Basel Conventions with respect to the transboundary movement of ships intended for recycling. ➡️ Adopted resolution MEPC.396(82) on Designating the Nusa Penida Islands and Gili Matra Islands in Lombok Strait as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. Download Summary Report: 

Are you up to date with the latest environment news? If not, here's the latest weekly review from Irwin Mitchell's expert team Claire Petricca-Riding Jill Crawford Stéfano Giancarlo D'Ambrosio Nuñez Elizabeth Mutter Chloe Moran Anastasia Panich Benjamin Holland. This week they look at Wales' proposal for environmental legislation and governance, a Norwegian court invalidating oil and gas drilling permits due to climate impact assessment failures, and resident protests against the expansion of Farnborough airport. 🌍 👉 https://bit.ly/3ueEhN8 #EnvironmentLaw #ESG #Sustainability

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made significant strides in developing binding global regulations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, as part of its net-zero framework. During the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) from September 30 to October 4, 2024, Member States identified common ground and created a draft legal text for ongoing discussions on proposed "mid-term measures" for GHG reduction, anticipated to be adopted in 2025. These measures include a goal-based marine fuel standard to mandate the use of lower GHG intensity fuels and a global pricing mechanism for maritime GHG emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions by around 2050. https://lnkd.in/da-ezuEk

➡️ RINA has published a report from the 82nd session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) that was held from 30 September to 4 October 2024. #maritime #environment #mepc

Environmentalists’ Climate Change Case Goes Up In Smoke What Happened? Australia’s environmental protection framework has failed to protect the Australian environment from climate change. Environmental advocacy group, the Environmental Council of Central Queensland (ECoCeQ) were contesting requests put before the federal Minister for the Environment and Water (Environment Minister) to allow coal mines Narrabri and Mt Pleasant to continue operating close to 2050. The present case Environment Council of Central Queensland Inc v Minister for the Environment and Water [2024] FCAFC 56 is the third instalment of the ‘Living Wonders’ case. In this case, ECoCeQ sought judicial review (court’s examination of whether government officials made a legally correct decision) of a decision made by the Office of the Environment Minister. The Environment Minister’s office determined that extending the operational life of the aforementioned coal mines and the associated greenhouse gas emissions these mines would produce, would not adversely harm the environment. ECoCeQ strongly disputed this contention. It argued that the Australian environment had already suffered the impacts of climate change and extending these mines’ operational life would only exacerbate the adverse effects that climate change will have on the Australian environment. ECoCeQ raised five grounds for judicial review in this appeal. Arguably the most significant ground of appeal was ground two. ECoCeQ submitted that the Environment Minister failed to consider how extending each mine’s operational life would contribute to climate change. Crucially, all three justices rejected this ground of appeal and ultimately the appeal was dismissed. Ground two was rejected as the court found the Environment Minister did consider that extending the life of the mines would contribute to higher greenhouse gas emissions and, in turn, contribute to climate change. However, the Environment Minister determined these mines’ continued operation would not be a “substantial cause” of ongoing climate change that would harm the Australian environment. Why Is This Significant? Assertions promulgated by the media that the judgment demonstrates the Environment Minister can plainly ignore the consideration of climate change when granting approvals for fossil fuel activities is false. Rather, the decision demonstrates that Australia’s main environmental protection Act, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is ill-suited to address the threat climate change poses to the Australian environment. Arguably, legislative reform is needed to prohibit new fossil-fuel energy infrastructure developments if Australia is to effectively combat climate change. Disclaimer This post’s content is informational only and is not intended in any way to constitute advice. Image courtesy of Unsplash #law #legalindustry #climatechange