Meeting of IMO on emissions of greenhouse gases

The Norwegian Government expects that the meeting of the International Maritime Organization in Oslo will agree upon the establishment of a design index for new ships and that this index will require ships to be built more energy efficient than at present.

– My hope is that the foundation will be laid here in Oslo for an ambitious package of measures leading to real reductions in greenhouse gases from international shipping. IMO Member States should agree on the elements of such a regime before the Copenhagen Climate Conference next year, Minister for the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, says.

Different technical, operational and market based mechanisms for reducing emissions from international shipping will be discussed.

– The overall aim is to achieve a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions from ships. A key principle is that all solutions must apply globally and equally to all ships regardless of flag of register.  As Mr. Solheim I hope that the Oslo meeting will bring us towards a future solution, Minister of Trade and Industry, Sylvia Brustad, says.