Countries Agree on UN Accord Requiring Ships to Cut Emissions or Pay a Fee

Amid the turmoil over global trade, countries around the world reached a remarkable, though modest, agreement on April 11 to reduce the climate pollution that comes from shipping those goods worldwide - with what is essentially a tax, no less.

- Somni Sengupta

NEW YORK -

An accord reached in London under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a United Nations agency, would require every ship that ferries goods across the oceans to lower its greenhouse gas emissions or pay a fee.

The targets fall short of what many had hoped. Still, it is the first time a global industry would face a price on its climate pollution no matter where in the world it operates. The proceeds would be used mainly to help the industry move to cleaner fuels. Some of the money could also go to developing countries most vulnerable to climate hazards.

The accord would come into effect in 2028, pending approval by country representatives at the agency's next meeting in October.

Given the widespread support for the terms of the April 11 agreement, the head of the organisation expressed hope it would be adopted in October with few or no changes.

The agreement marks a rare bit of international cooperation that is all the more remarkable because it was reached even after the US pulled out of the talks earlier in the week. No other countries followed suit.