Keynote speech IMO-meeting

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Mr. Secretary General, Mr. Chairman, dear delegates,

Welcome to Oslo.

I am very pleased that so many of you could come to Oslo in November. And out of the tourist season as well!

Air pollution is one of the main environmental challenges. The health and environmental problems caused by emissions of NOx and SOx, VOC, and Particulate Matter call for more action. Both nationally and internationally.

Norway has for a long time been concerned about the environmental damage caused by long range transport of air pollution. In particular, we have been concerned about the damage to eco systems caused by acid rain. Acid rain in Norway comes from traffic and point sources in other countries as well as from ships in the North Sea. The only way to reduce acid rain in Norway has therefore been through binding international cooperation.

In 1979 the common environmental concerns in Northern European countries led to the adoption of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Since then, the Convention has been extended. Today it has 50 Parties in Europe, Central Asia and North America.

The Convention began by addressing the problem of acid rain. Since then the Parties have developed instruments to reduce eutrofication and ground level ozone. In the future it is likely that binding regulations to reduce emissions of particulate matter will be developed.

The latest protocol, the Gothenburg Protocol, contains strong commitments. Once the Protocol is fully implemented, Europe’s sulphur emissions will be cut by at least 63 per cent, and its NOx emissions by 41 per cent compared to 1990. In order to fulfil the Norwegian commitments, several measures are being introduced. From 1 January 2007 we will introduce new taxes on NOx emissions from domestic sources, including domestic shipping.

Through the protocols under the Convention this region has reduced emissions from land based sources substantially. I would say that this international cooperation is very successful.

Not all emissions are land based. Shipping is also a problem. The decision by the IMO in the late 1980s to address air pollution from ships was therefore very important. It resulted in the MARPOL air pollution annex of 1997.

It is no secret that Norway pushed for stricter requirements in 1997. We know that the IMO and the air pollution annex to MARPOL is the only effective option for regulating air pollution from international shipping. That is why we ratified the Annex in 1998. I am very pleased that the Annex is now in force, and that stricter regulations under the Annex have been established for the North Sea area.

There is now a very positive momentum in the IMO to take the next step to control air pollution from ships. The proposal from Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom to review MARPOL Annex VI was well received at the IMO. The revision includes future emission limits for NOx and SOx, future control of VOC emissions and particulate matter, as well as further clarification of the Annex. Norway strongly welcomes this work.

Sometimes in policy decisions we set a target without having the technology or solutions in place. But clearly defined targets often lead to technology development and solutions. In the case of air pollution from international shipping we have already several technologies for reducing emissions. This makes me optimistic about the revision of Annex VI. It can be done!

I am sure the IMO will be able to establish emission limits. I am sure the limits will also serve as a long term predictable framework for the industry.

The task of defining new emission limits in Annex VI, is very important and challenging. In addition, the deadline set for the work is very tight. But it is a good deadline. The public wants results now - and not in the far distant future.

Mr. Chairman, dear delegates, I hope that you will have a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Oslo. Good luck with your work!

Thank you.