European Commission update 2011
The European Union (EU) has long been committed to international efforts to tackle climate change and felt the duty to set an example through robust policy-making at home. At European level a comprehensive package of policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was initiated through the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) in 2000.
Since 2000 the goal of the ECCP is to identify and develop all the necessary elements of an EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol. The first stage of this programme was developed from 2000 - 2004, the second stage has been in development since 2005 - present. This second stage will seek to include international maritime transport in the EU'S greenhouse gas commitment under the change programme.
IBIA is part of the working group which meets to discuss reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from ships (WG Ships), here we represent our members in the bunker industry with the objective of providing input to the Commission's work to develop and assess options for this inclusion; looking at factors such as Monitoring, Scope, Evasion and Economic Impacts.
IBIA attended the first meeting in February 2011, and we will attend the further two meetings scheduled for this group in 2011.
The Commission is very serious about this inclusion into its greenhouse gas commitment, and it is our understanding that if the International Maritime Organization does not come to a conclusion on this subject by the end of 2011, then this European programme, will be used as a working document towards a legally binding act, which would come into force in 2013.
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European Commission Fact Sheets
Please see below a selection of fact sheets to help you understand legislation from the EU.
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