Post #4671

US sinks international deal on decarbonizing ships An international vote to approve cutting maritime emissions was delayed by a year Friday in a victory for the United States, which opposes the carbon-cutting plan. The London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations body that governs shipping, voted in April for a global pricing system to help curb greenhouse gases. But a vote Friday on whether to formally approve the deal was delayed until next year after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions against countries backing the plan. Increased divisions, notably between oil-producing nations and non-oil producers, emerged this week at meetings leading up to Friday's vote. Delegates instead voted on a hastily arranged resolution to postpone proceedings, which passed by 57 votes to 49. Trump had said Thursday that the proposed global carbon tax on shipping was a "scam," after the United States withdrew from IMO negotiations in April. A Russian delegate described the proceedings as "chaos" as he addressed the plenary Friday after talks had lasted into the early hours. Russia had joined major oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in voting against the carbon-reduction measure in April, saying it would harm the economy and food security. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, representing 176 member states, said Friday that he hoped there would be no repeat of how the week's discussions had gone. "It doesn't help your organization, it doesn't help yourself," he told delegates. A European Union source told AFP that "many countries have changed their minds under pressure from the United States. A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres called it "a missed opportunity for member states to place the shipping sector on a clear, credible path towards net zero emissions." The International Chamber of Shipping, representing more than 80% of the world's fleet, also expressed disappointment. "Industry needs clarity to be able to make the investments needed to decarbonize the maritime sector," its Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said in a statement. Source:Phys.org @EverythingScience