Talks to Finalise Historic Climate Agreement Abandoned
A landmark accord to cut global shipping emissions has been shelved after Saudi Arabia and the United States successfully pushed to end negotiations. More than 100 countries met in London aiming to approve a deal originally agreed in April, which would have made shipping the first global industry with legally binding emissions-reduction targets.
US Pressure Derails Climate Progress
The breakthrough agreement stalled when US President Donald Trump condemned the plan as a “green scam”. US representatives reportedly warned several nations that supporting the deal could result in tariffs.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later described the collapse as a “huge win” for the Trump administration.
Reflecting growing geopolitical pressure, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued an urgent plea for such tactics not to be repeated in future climate negotiations.
Saudi Motion Ends the Talks
As countries prepared to vote on formal approval, Saudi Arabia unexpectedly tabled a motion to adjourn the discussions for a year.
The meeting chair confirmed this would stop the agreement in its current form, as the essential timelines and implementation milestones would become invalid.
The motion passed by a narrow margin.
Island Nations and Climate-Vulnerable States Express Outrage
Vanuatu’s Climate Change Minister, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, condemned the move as “unacceptable given the urgency” of accelerating climate impacts.
“We came to London in reluctant support of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework. While it lacks the ambition that climate science demands, it does mark a significant step,” he said.
Speaking after the talks ended, Thomas Kazakos, secretary-general of the industry body the International Chamber of Shipping, said : “We are disappointed that member states have not been able to agree a way forward at this meeting.”
“Industry needs clarity to be able to make the investments,” he added.
Several small island states reversed their earlier support after facing significant diplomatic pressure. Delegates said that many rely heavily on the US for trade and felt compelled to change position.
Divisions Deepen Among Major Economies
The UK and most EU states voted to continue the talks, but some nations — including Greece — broke with the EU bloc and abstained.
Countries voting to delay included Russia, Saudi Arabia and the US, all expressing concerns that the agreement could increase consumer prices.
China, which supported the deal in April, also shifted position and backed the delay.
What the Deal Would Have Achieved
First negotiated over ten years, the April agreement was hailed as historic. It would have required ship owners to adopt progressively cleaner fuels from 2028, with penalties for non-compliance.
The shipping industry had broadly supported the proposal because it would have created consistent, global standards.
Why Shipping Emissions Matter
Shipping accounts for around 3% of global emissions, mirroring the growth of international trade — with 90% of goods transported by sea.
“There is no fuel as cheap as diesel that ships use today because when we take crude oil out of the ground, we take out all the nice bits, that’s the kerosene for aviation, diesel and petrol for cars,” Faig Abbasov, programme director for maritime transport at think tank Transport and Environment, told the BBC during the last IMO negotiations.
Unlike other sectors, shipping has struggled to cut emissions due to limited financial incentives and restricted access to low-carbon fuels.
Without intervention, the International Maritime Organisation previously projected that emissions could rise by 10% to 150% by 2050.
Delays Jeopardise 2028 Climate Targets
Posting on Truth Social on Thursday night President Trump wrote: “The United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping. We will not tolerate increased prices on American Consumers.”
With negotiations halted for at least a year, the carefully designed timetable to implement new rules by 2028 is now unlikely to be met.
The setback raises concerns about whether the global shipping industry can play its part in meeting international climate goals.
“A delay in action may require changes to the text of agreement that undermine the planned timeline, and could revert years of work to date,” said Blánaid Sheeran, an observer to the talks and policy officer at environmental NGO Opportunity Green.
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