In Alaska, a new report is calling on the International Maritime Organization to act fast on black carbon emissions from Arctic shipping before warming spirals further out of control.
Released July 30 by Pacific Environment, On Thin Ice warns that emissions of black carbon from ship engines are accelerating Arctic melt. The pollutant darkens snow and ice, reducing reflectivity and speeding heat absorption. Unlike carbon dioxide, black carbon has an outsized impact near the poles and can warm the atmosphere up to 1,500 times more per unit.
Arctic shipping is growing rapidly. Since 2013, traffic has increased by 37 percent, and the total distance traveled by vessels has more than doubled. Residual fuels, the most common type used in ships, produce high levels of black carbon when burned.
Pacific Environment is urging IMO member states to support a mandatory switch to cleaner “polar fuels” ahead of the Pollution Prevention and Response subcommittee meeting in February 2026.
Beyond climate concerns, black carbon also threatens human health. It contributes to respiratory disease and undermines food security in Arctic communities that depend on sea ice.
With new sea routes opening and emissions rising, the clock on Arctic protection is ticking faster than ever.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
