The “Tony deBrum” Declaration, an initiative launched by France, represents a call for ambitious progress within the International Maritime Organization to regulate shipping-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These emissions represent 3% of the global total and could increase by 50 to 250% in 2050.
The Tony deBrum Declaration was signed by 36 countries at the 2017 OPS. In March 2018, 49 countries signed the Declaration before the start of the IMO negotiations.
The strategy for reducing greenhouse gases emitted by shipping was adopted by the IMO in April 2018. A revised strategy was published in July 2023, setting a timetable for the adoption of all measures by 2028.
The strategy aims to reduce net GHG emissions from international shipping to zero by 2050, and to fully switch to alternative fuels with zero or near-zero GHG emissions by 2030.
IMO's strategy is based on several measures :
- Reinforce energy efficiency requirements for new shipbuildings;
- Reduce GHG emissions per transport activity by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 2008;
- Adopt zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies accounting for less than 5% of the energy used by international shipping by 2030;
- Reach the peak of GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible, and ensure a reduction in net GHG emissions before or by 2050.