IMO faces biofuel rebellion
A coalition of 69 NGOs, including the Global Forest Coalition and Biofuelwatch, has called on the IMO to exclude biofuels from its Global Fuel Standard (GFS), warning that they exacerbate deforestation, land displacement, and climate change.
The NGOs’ open letter, sent ahead of the IMO’s upcoming discussions on low-carbon fuel policies, criticises Brazil for advocating biofuels in shipping to expand its domestic industry. The letter stresses that endorsing biofuels would drive further rainforest destruction and threaten communities in the Global South. Almuth Ernsting of Biofuelwatch stated, “Communities are already bearing the brunt of monoculture plantations—expanding biofuel use would deepen the crisis.”
The IMO’s revised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, adopted in July 2023, targets net-zero emissions by 2050, with interim milestones of a 20-30% reduction by 2030 and 70-80% by 2040. The GFS, a key policy instrument, is set for finalisation by April 2025, with crucial discussions taking place in London from 17-21 February.
Shipping companies, including Hapag-Lloyd, have joined the call to exclude unsustainable biofuels from IMO’s green fuel options. Transport & Environment (T&E) warns that, without safeguards, demand for palm and soy oil could soar, making them the cheapest compliance option while causing more harm than conventional fossil fuels. T&E highlights that when deforestation and land use changes are considered, palm and soy-based biofuels can be two to three times worse for the climate than traditional marine fuels.
Countries such as France, Norway, and the Netherlands have already restricted or phased out palm and soy biofuels domestically. The EU has also excluded food crops from its FuelEU regulation, recognising the risks they pose to biodiversity and food security.
T&E’s shipping manager, Constance Dijkstra, stated: “The IMO risks doing more harm than good. Instead of creating new problems, the industry must prioritise green fuels made from hydrogen. Burning crops is never the answer.”
While NGOs oppose crop-based biofuels, the majority of biofuels currently used in shipping are derived from waste-based sources, such as used cooking oil, which meet stringent sustainability criteria. Bill Stamatopoulos of VeriFuel emphasised that suppliers must comply with International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) standards, ensuring zero deforestation and full supply chain traceability.
Despite the criticism, several shipping companies have voluntarily incorporated sustainable biofuels into their operations, demonstrating a willingness to transition away from fossil fuels. However, environmental groups insist that the IMO must take a firm stance to avoid repeating past mistakes and prevent biofuels from undermining the maritime sector’s decarbonisation efforts.
