CEM - Abstract

Abstract Information :

The ocean is the central of human well-being and covers 70% of the earth surface. providing valuable and vital ecosystem services such as climate regulation, food, energy, mineral and genetic resources, and cultural and recreational services. But the ocean is being polluted in many ways. Plastic pollution, oil spill, over-fishing, and many more. Another form of pollution which is the main reason for global worming is carbon emission. While most of us are aware of the carbon emissions within our territorial jurisdictions, we are not aware about the carbon emissions taking place at the high seas. A key reason is the limited access in that area. Shipping is the 5th largest emitter of carbon and the amount is equal to that of Germany as a country. With approximately 90% of the global trade being conducted by the ships due to the carrying capacity, this will soon become the largest emitter of carbon. However, there is yet to be a concrete regulation to decarbonize the shipping sector. The Kyoto Protocol has mandated the IMO as the governing body to regulate carbon emission from shipping. But, because of the unavailability of technological alternatives the implemented policies are not being fruitful. Because of that reason, even though the Paris Agreement demands all stakeholders to decarbonize by 2050, the IMO is working on halving the carbon emission from shipping by 2050. This paper will present all the regulations the IMO has enacted so far and complexity in regulating such policies. Also some recommendations that the IMO could consider to limit the emissions from shipping without waiting for alternatives being available.