Forum welcomes IMO progress on MRV

GSF stated that the decision effectively endorses the wider need for monitoring, recording and verification (MRV) of maritime emissions, in order to make progress at an international level on emissions reduction.

Chris Welsh, GSF secretary general, said: “This is clearly only the beginning of a process, but it is an important first step towards agreeing a methodology for reducing maritime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GSF welcomes the fact that the IMO has established a correspondence group tasked with discussing and recommending the core elements which could form the basis of an appropriate data collection system.”

According to GSF, the correspondence group will review submissions from IMO member states’ representatives and industry on what data should be collected to consider what further work is needed for establishing the appropriate metrics for monitoring maritime emissions.

Mr Welsh added: “It’s clear that member states listened carefully to concerns that any collection system should be simple, pragmatic and easy to use taking into account the different and varied nature of shipping sectors and operations. GSF believes that this approach is exactly right, as account should be taken of the costs involved in collecting data and that the right data is collected for fuel monitoring purposes.”

GSF says that accurate data on maritime greenhouse gas emissions is needed to measure, evaluate and report shippers’ supply chain carbon footprints to meet industry commitments under the GHG protocol. The forum believes IMO has now demonstrated the necessary leadership needed to make progress on this important issue at an international level.

Mr Welsh concluded: “GSF is pleased at this approach as it believes that a single global system for monitoring reporting and verification has clear benefits for ship owners and shippers.”