- “Thank you very much, chair. Thank you very much to all of you for your interventions and questions. We can only agree with you that the decision at this last BBC was really heavily disappointing, disappointing, and for for all of us, and in particular for the European Union. Um, it is clear that now, in terms of next steps, um, what we need to do and what we plan to do is to engage in a close dialogue with our member states, um, including those that haven't supported, um, the EU position. And so they are as important as all the others in order to re-establish the unity. And, uh, in fact, that is what we intend to do in the coming months. Um, in terms of, um, the behaviour Are of of the US. In fact, um, there has been pressure on certain delegations during the IMO discussions. And of course, as European Union, we always stand for multilateralism and for constructive rules based dialogue with all partners, um, based on mutual trust, facts and shared responsibility. That is the EU approach as you know it. Well, um, um, when it comes to, uh, how we are going to support the European actors in this green transition, um, you are right. The Sustainable Transport Investment Plan has announced last week a concrete roadmap. But we have two strategies that are now in development the port strategy and the Maritime Industrial Strategy that will cover both shipbuilding and shipping.”
Decarbonisation of maritime transport · EU-US relations
- “The technical work nevertheless continued. The Intersessional working Group on Greenhouse Gas Reductions convened as planned, to advance the draft guidelines necessary for the eventual entry into force of the IMO net zero framework. Now, what are the implications of this postponement? Well, the immediate consequence of the outcome is clear the entry into force of the IMO net zero framework will be delayed by at least one year. This means that global implementation of technical and market based measures for decarbonisation will not begin before 2028, at the earliest. Beyond this delay, the events in October have also exposed deeper institutional and political tensions within the IMO. Traditionally, the organization has built consensus around technical and sector specific solutions. This time, however, broader considerations including trade relations, energy security, food supply and wider geopolitical interests overshadow the usual spirit of cooperation. And these developments test the IMO established model of consensus based decision making and raise questions about how global climate governance will evolve in a more polarised environment. Turning to the implications for EU legislation, let me be absolutely clear. The postponement of the IMO framework does not affect the implementation of existing EU rules, the EU Maritime Regulation and the EU Emissions Trading system. Both include dynamic review clauses designed to ensure alignment with future global measures adopted by the IMO. However, until such a global measure is in place, our regional framework will continue to apply as planned. The EU remains firmly committed to making a global measure happen. Given the international nature of shipping, only a worldwide approach can assure real reductions in emissions a level playing field that are both necessary.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Climate efforts · Decarbonisation of maritime transport
- “And we agree with you that we need to have a concrete, concrete actions in terms of supporting the transition of this sector so that Europe can stay a frontrunner in this transition. And of course, this House can help us as well, being the one important authority when it comes to the negotiations for the new MFF. Um, yes. I had a question how discussions are ongoing with those member States that do not support the agreement. We haven't yet. For now, we are analysing and trying to understand lessons learned, but we are soon starting the outreach towards all of our member States. Um, including those of course, that did not, um, agree on on the EU position do not support the EU position. Um. When it comes to our regional measures, um, it is clear that part of the room at IMO. And this is no surprise to you, um, do not like the fact that we have regional measures that there has been a lot of calls, uh, about about the need for alignment once we have a global agreement. So this is not new. It has been there, um, for, for, for years. Um, when it comes to maintaining the current rules, it is crystal clear that, uh, our rules, we stay as long as we don't have an international agreement.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Climate efforts · Decarbonisation of maritime transport
- “Uh, you might also remember that the framework had already been approved in principle at the committee's meeting at Mepc 83 last April. Um, and still at that time, the approval was not without challenges. Several delegations, notably from the Gulf states It's led by Saudi Arabia, attempted to block consensus. The US at that time voiced its opposition but remained largely disengaged from the process. And despite these tensions in April, the outcome was a significant milestone. We had 63 countries that voted in favour, 16 that voted against and 25 that abstained. In the months leading up to the October session, the EU, acting through a Team Europe approach, engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach across all regions in support of the framework. However, at the same time, opposition forces intensified. On the 10th of October, the US Secretaries of State, Commerce, Energy and Transportation issued a joint statement threatening retaliatory measures against any state supporting the agreement, A move that clearly further polarized the discussion. Against this backdrop, the committee session in October unfolded under intense pressure and deep divisions between supporters and opponents of the framework. Acknowledging the unprecedented level of confrontation, there were shared concerns in the room that consensus was not achievable at this stage, and informal consultations started on the opportunity of deferring the decision on the final day. That was a Friday. Procedural maneuvers dominated the session. Eventually, Saudi Arabia tabled a motion to postpone consideration of the net zero framework for one year, and the motion was adopted by 57 votes in favor, 49 against and two abstentions. Eu member states voted against the postponement, with the exceptions of Greece and Cyprus who abstained, and Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, who were absent the following week.”
Climate efforts · Decarbonisation of maritime transport · EU-Saudi Arabia relations
- “So the European Union has supported this framework, uh, with a lot of strength, as a demonstration of our belief that multilateral solutions are the most effective means to deliver global emissions reductions.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) · Climate efforts
- “It is also clear that more the situation becomes unclear on the The possibility to have an international agreement. More. There will be further measures, regional measures around. We know that there are. I mean, of course, UK has announced that it will have an ETS as of next year, and there are thoughts around the world for regional measures. Um, on our side, we would say we still need to fight hard for an international agreement before going to, um, a coalition of willing. Of course, with UK. They are our neighbors. We do discuss ETS to synchronize, but our first approach would be that we go for an international agreement. We try to fight hard, and then we see, uh, the, the possibility of a coalition of willing. Um. And I took note also that the EU's reaction should be stronger in this and other files for us vis a vis the US behavior for us. The important thing is to to take advantage of this one year, to try to find consensus with all our partners, with or without the US. Um. And I think, uh, I think with that I have covered all the points I would like to cover. Thank you very much again.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) · EU-UK relations
- “Much. Good morning to all honorable Notables MEPs. Big thanks for the opportunity to update you on what has happened at the recent Marine Environment Protection Committee. Uh, in particular discussing in particular, uh, measures for the decarbonization of international shipping. And in fact, it has been an intense and eventful few weeks at IMO. Uh, so, um, the meeting of uh, Mepc was called to discuss the adoption of the IMO. Net zero framework, uh, which is the organization's instrument, agreed in April to deliver on the IMO 2023 greenhouse gas um strategy and steer global shipping towards full decarbonisation. Um, This framework is an integrated measure combining a technical standard on greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuels and a pricing element on emissions, which will lead in the creation of a dedicated fund to support the transition and also address equity considerations. You might remember that this was not the initial proposal on the side of the European Union. We were, um, fighting for two separate and complementary measures, a fuel standard and a levy. But in the course of negotiations, it it was made very clear that this was not a proposal on which we could strike a deal. Um, so the framework was not the initially EU's preferred model, but it does represent a collective effort and a compromise among more global players, including, of course, the EU, China and Brazil, to chart a common way forward.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme · Climate efforts · Decarbonisation of maritime transport
- “Uh, we will continue to support on our side the sector's transition as, uh, last week, you might have seen we have published the Sustainable transport investment plan to boost Europe's capacity to produce supply, deploy sustainable maritime fuels. And in early 2026, we will present two additional strategies the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and the EU Port Strategy, both aimed at strengthening Europe's competitiveness across the entire waterborne transport and port value chain. And that will aim also to ensure that Europe remains a global leader in clean, resilient and innovative maritime industries when it comes to next steps. Um, it is quite early to define the precise path that we are going to, uh, to take. However, let me say that the Commission remains fully engaged and continue will continue to work constructively with all international partners. Um, so as to secure a robust global agreement. Um. We will continue to advocate for a global framework to promote ambitious, equitable solutions that bring all sectors on board. And this coming year offers a critical window of opportunity. Those states that support a global approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. We have one year to reflect, to listen to each other and to bridge differences. And we, of course, stand ready as European Union to contribute actively to this process through dialogue, technical cooperation and targeted capacity building to help ensure that in 2026, the IMO can reach consensus to adopt the global framework we need. Thank you very much.”
Decarbonisation of maritime transport