A groundbreaking global shipping emissions reduction deal has been scuppered by US pressure and threats. The deal, which would have seen shipping become the world's first industry to adopt internationally mandated targets, was on the verge of being approved by over 100 countries in London. However, President Trump's label of the plan as a 'green scam' and the US administration's week-long threats of tariffs if countries voted in favour, proved too much for some nations to bear.
The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation issued a plea for countries to stand firm, but it was to no avail. On Friday, Saudi Arabia tabled a motion to adjourn the talks for a year, citing the need to revise key timelines for the treaty. This motion passed by a narrow margin, with the UK and most EU nations voting to continue the talks, while some countries like Greece abstained.
The US, Saudi Arabia, and Russia were among the countries that voted to delay the deal. Some key countries that had initially supported the deal in April, such as the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, also switched sides and agreed to the delay. A delegate from Vanuatu revealed that these nations heavily rely on the US for trade and had been heavily pressured by the Trump administration to change their stance.
This controversial turn of events has left many countries in a state of uncertainty, with the future of global shipping emissions reduction now in doubt. The BBC will provide further updates as this breaking news story unfolds.
