RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee conferred upon
it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution from
ships,
RECALLING ALSO that MEPC 62 agreed to a work plan including an investigation of
appropriate control measures to reduce the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon
emissions from international shipping,
RECALLING FURTHER that MEPC 77 approved the updated terms of reference for further work
on the reduction of the impact on the Arctic of Black Carbon emissions starting with
guidelines on goal-based control measures to reduce the impact on the Arctic of Black
Carbon emissions from international shipping,
RECOGNIZING that Black Carbon is a potent short-lived contributor to climate warming, and
as such was subject to study in the Fourth IMO GHG Study 2020,
HAVING CONSIDERED the threat to the Arctic from ships’ Black Carbon emissions and
understanding that the development of goal-based guidelines and any mandatory control
measures will require further work and time,
RECOGNIZING that the Fourth IMO GHG Study’s emission factors show that, when used in the
same engine, a switch to distillate reduces Black Carbon emissions per kilogram of fuel
consumption,
ENCOURAGING Member States to commence addressing the threat to the Arctic from Black
Carbon emissions, and report on measures and best practices to reduce Black Carbon
emissions from shipping,
URGES Member States and ship operators to voluntarily use distillate or other cleaner
alternative fuels or methods of propulsion that are safe for ships and could contribute
to the reduction of Black Carbon emissions from ships when operating in or near the
Arctic.