Free tracker reveals uneven costs of IMO climate proposals
In the United Kingdom, University College London researchers released a free online tool Nov. 10 to help national delegations evaluate the economic consequences of competing IMO Net-Zero Framework proposals ahead of MEPC 85, using detailed trade and shipping data to estimate country-specific impacts. “Opaque methods for the evaluation of economic impacts from international maritime policy have hampered observers in their ability to effectively weigh up the costs and benefits of alternative proposed policy measures,” UCL research fellow James Stewart said.
The tracker analyzes more than 10 million trade flows across 136 coastal countries, including 26 least developed countries and 36 small island developing states previously represented largely through regional averages.
Its food security analysis identifies bulky, low-value cereals as particularly vulnerable to transport cost increases. Researchers also found significant differences in the relative cost-effectiveness of competing IMO proposals across countries.
The tool compares potential shipping cost increases against the expected economic costs of climate change through 2050.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
