Shipowners Support EU-China in Global Climate Deal

After the United States backed out of the Paris Climate Agreement, shipowners have encouraged the EU and China leadership to intensify cooperation in achieving a global climate deal for shipping.

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) informed that indications of such cooperation materialised during the 19th EU-China Summit held in Brussels last week.

EU and Chinese leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change. They also looked forward to co-hosting, along with Canada, a major ministerial gathering in September to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and accelerate the clean energy transition.

“The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement should not jeopardise an ambitious global strategy to reduce the CO2 emissions of shipping,” Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA Secretary General, said.

“We are therefore pleased that the EU and China appear to be working towards reinforced co-operation on delivering a climate agreement for shipping at the International Maritime Organization,” Verhoeven added.