EU Should Seize Momentum to Make IMO CO2 Roadmap Work
European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) facilitated a debriefing in the European Parliament this morning on the latest decisions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regarding global regulation of greenhouse gas emissions of shipping. Focus of the discussion was the roadmap that IMO agreed end of October. The roadmap foresees the adoption of an initial strategy in 2018 to meet the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, which has just entered into force. The initial strategy will be validated by actual emission figures gathered through the IMO’s data collection system as of 2019. This will then lead to a final agreement on targets and measures, including an implementation plan, in 2023.
Europe Deliberates Avoidance of a Second 'Deepwater Horizon'
A provisional deal on proposed legislation for the safety of offshore oil and gas operations has been struck by MEPs and Council negotiators. Before oil and gas firms can get a licence to drill, the directive would require them to submit major hazard reports and emergency response plans and prove their ability to remedy any environmental damage caused. "Europe learned its lessons from the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe and wants to reduce the risks of offshore oil and gas drilling to a minimum. Especially now that several member states are exploring new drilling operations, we need an efficient legislative framework. The previous directive is nearly 20 years old and does not guarantee the safety of offshore drilling operations in an adequate manner"…
