The Clean Arctic Alliance would like to invite you to an online event to present the reality and limitations of the draft Arctic HFO regulation prohibiting the use and carriage as fuel of HFO by ships in the Arctic, and why it is not fit for purpose and should be amended ahead of approval at the 75th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee.
Research by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that loopholes in IMO’s draft regulation means that exemptions to the ban and the allocation of waivers by central Arctic coastal states will allow up to 74% of HFO-fueled ships to continue using HFO in the Arctic until mid-2029. As a result, only 30% of HFO carriage as fuel and 16% of its use would be banned when the regulation comes into effect in mid-2024.
Clean Arctic Alliance calls on IMO member states to agree on stronger ban of HFO in Arctic ahead of November meeting London, 9 November 2020:- Reacting to the November 6th announcement by the Norwegian government of its proposal to completely ban the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by shipping around the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, Clean Arctic Alliance Lead Advisor Dr Sian Prior said: “We welcome this important commitment by Norway to protect the waters around Svalbard from the risks of heavy fuel oil (HFO) spills, and its glaciers and sea ice from the impacts of black carbon emissions caused by the burning of HFO. Norway leads the way… Read More »Clean Arctic Alliance Reaction to Norway’s Proposal for Arctic Ban on Polluting Heavy Fuel Oil in Svalbard
As we all know, what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic – and the changes rapidly impacting the Arctic will have repercussions for all of us. The Clean Arctic Alliance is calling on world leaders to take urgent action to curb Arctic heating, by accelerating national and regional policies and practices that will fulfill the goals of the Paris Agreement, especially that of limiting the increase in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius – requiring an at least 60% reduction in climate emissions by 2030, something to which the European Parliament has already agreed upon”, said John Maggs, Senior Policy Advisor at Seas at Risk – a Clean Arctic Alliance member, and president of the Clean Shipping Coalition.
During the Clean Arctic Alliance webinar held on September 28, The IMO draft Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) regulation: A ban in name only?, the speakers explored the social, environmental and legal implications of the draft Arctic HFO regulation if adopted as currently drafted, and what it will mean for Arctic environmental protection.
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is shipping’s dirtiest fuel – almost impossible to clean up following a spill, and produces high levels of pollution when used by ships. The Arctic is warming at twice the global average. Between 2015 and 2019, HFO use in the Arctic increased 75%. This infographic demonstrates how HFO has no placed in the Arctic.
In response to document MEPC 75/10/Add.1, the co-sponsors raise concerns about the impact and effectiveness of the draft prohibition on the use and carriage for use as fuel of heavy fuel oil (HFO) by ships in Arctic waters. Recently published work indicates that only 30% of HFO carriage and 16% of HFO use would be banned when the regulation comes into effect, and that it is likely that the amount of HFO carried and used in the Arctic will increase following the ban taking effect.
In response to documents MEPC 75/10/Add.1 and MEPC 75/7/15 and in light of the crisis unfolding in the Arctic, along with the fact that Black Carbon emissions from shipping continue to grow both globally and in the Arctic, the co-sponsors propose the development and adoption of an MEPC Black Carbon resolution. The resolution would set out recommended interim measures pending completion of IMO work to identify and implement one or more Black Carbon abatement measures. The annex includes elements that should be considered for inclusion in such a resolution.
Proposed International Maritime Organization ban would allow exemptions and waivers resulting in 84% of Arctic shipping continuing to burn HFO in the Arctic, and permitting 70% of vessels to still carry HFO as fuel.
Indigenous leaders are highlighting heavy fuel oil (HFO) and the potential impacts to food security, culture, and ways of life for communities in a changing Arctic.