Prior to the next International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting in November, Pacific Environment has released a new report, “On ever thinner ice: Reducing black carbon demands urgent action.” The Arctic faces ever-growing threats, making urgent action to reduce black carbon emissions from shipping more important than ever, including:
- Climate tipping points are alarmingly close to being exceeded.
- Accelerating sea ice loss is weakening the marine food chain for fish, marine mammals and whales.
- Ice losses on land and in the sea around the Arctic portend major sea level rise and disruption of ocean circulation currents.
- Black carbon emissions from shipping have been significantly underestimated and continue to rise.
- A new spotlight report by the UN Environment Programme underlines that the world must strive to return to below 1.5°C as soon as possible while simultaneously reducing the vulnerability of societies, communities and economies to climate impacts.
Additionally, the recent International Court of Justice climate decision requires action to prevent climate harm and ruled that climate change is a “wrongful act.” In May, more than 140 countries at the United Nations voted to adopt a resolution backing the court’s ruling.
The report calls on IMO member states to act urgently to reduce black carbon emissions from shipping by requiring ships operating in the wider Arctic to switch from residual fuels to cleaner “polar fuels,” such as marine gas oil (MGO).
Read the full report to learn more about the latest threats to the Arctic from black carbon emissions and the urgent action needed to protect the region.
