Combined proposal of Oxfam, WWF and ICS for an ulterior reduction of the gas emissions greenhouse of the marine traffic



To the conference on the climatic changes of the United Nations in course to Durban the organizations enviromentalists Oxfam and WWF, with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), association that it represents beyond 80% of world-wide the mercantile fleet, have advanced today a proposal to the governments to go to an ulterior reduction of the gas emissions to greenhouse effect deriving from international the marine traffic through a better regulation of the field.

In particular, Oxfam, WWF and ICS have asked the delegates of COP 17, that is of the seventeenth Conference of Parties of the United Nations for the fight to the climatic changes, of giving to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) clear indications on as reducing the emissions of the marine transport through the development of incentives.

According to the three organizations, an effective normative picture in order to check the emissions of co2 international marine transport must be of nature total and planned so as to reduce the possibility of so-called "carbon leakage" (the rilocalizzazione of the emissions), holding totally account of the interests of the Developing countries, of the principle of the UNFCCC of responsibility common but differentiated and of respective abilities (CBDR).

Between the measures proposed from Oxfam, WWF and ICS are the adoption by the IMO of a shim mechanism through which a meaningful quota revenues collected from international the marine transport could be destined to the Developing countries in order to supply a new source of financing in support of their efforts in order to face the climatic changes. The revenues could be allocated through an adapted channel, which the green Bottom for the climate, about which it will be discussed to Durban.
"If it is true that there are some differences of opinion on the details of such a mechanism - Oxfam, WWF and ICS have explained - is the civil society that the organizations of the marine industry emphasize that the immediate priority for the governments reunited in occasion of COP 17 to Durban is not to work on the technical details for the marine transport, but to on how facilitate the resolution of the political argument of application of the principle of the common but differentiated responsibilities and the respective abilities in the field of the marine transport and to assure the fast completion of the work of the IMO".

"Regarding the taxes on the carbon emissions that could be proposed from the governments - they have still specified the three organizations - Oxfam, WWF and the International Chamber of Shipping believe that the recent agreement on the technical and operating measures in order to reduce the emissions of the marine transport demonstrates that the IMO is able to develop an ulterior international agreement. Seen the urgency necessary in order to avoid catastrophic climatic changes, the three organizations invite the governments to take to all the measures necessary in order to accelerate such a agreement in center IMO".

"We are very pleased - Samantha Smith has declared, in charge of the Global Climate and Energy Initiative of WWF - than the field of the marine transports he recognizes own responsibility and he wants to make its part for an ulterior reduction of the gas emissions greenhouse. With about 3% of the total emissions of the world, the participation flood of the field of the marine transport will be of great aid in order to beneath maintain global warming of i 2° C agreed from the governments. To introduce a tax on carbon emitted in the field of the total marine transport can mean enormous advantages in the realization of our objectives. We are in agreement with the shipowners that the better center, in order to elaborate the details on as the emissions of the marine transport can be faced with a mechanism of economic incentives, are International the Marine Organization and that a strong sign by the reunited leaders to Durban, that their determination shows to complete progresses in this field, will contribute to accelerate the process".

Also Tim Gore, councilman for the climate of Oxfam, has emphasized that its association receives "with favor the constructive engagement of the field of the marine transport in the search of solutions to the climatic crisis. Industry and civil society - it has added - agree on the fact that the emissions of the marine field can be regulated in a fairer way, such to contribute to generate the resources necessary in order to face the climatic change. To talks the UN on the climate to Durban it is essential that the governments give the necessary sign so that the agreement in the within of International the Marine Organization rests to become truth".

"The industry of the marine transport - it has observed the general secretary of the ICS, Peter Hinchliffe - receives with favor the acknowledgment by these important fields of the atmosphere and the development. It is in the interest of both to regulate the marine transport through our organism of field, the International Maritime Organization. The same rules for the reduction of carbon must be applicable to all the commercial ships to international level, in the respect of the principles of the Convention on the climate of the United Nations. If the governments decide that the marine transport must contribute to "green Bottom for the climate" of the UNFCCC - it has concluded - the industry can probably support this principle on condition that the details are agreed in center IMO, as asks".