The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved an important step towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The IMO Net-zero Framework is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.   The measures were approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee in early April.  They will include a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.  

These measures, set to be formally adopted in October 2025 before entry into force in 2027, will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnes, which emit 85% of the total CO₂ emissions from international shipping.  

Watch the video here.