Background and objectives
1 In April 2018, MEPC 72 adopted resolution MEPC.304(72) on the Initial IMO Strategy on reduction of
GHG emissions from ships (the Initial Strategy). The Initial Strategy lists
a series of candidate short-, mid- and long-term measures. As outlined in the
Initial Strategy, the impacts on States of a measure should be assessed and taken
into account as appropriate before adoption of the measure. Particular attention
should be paid to the needs of developing countries, especially small island
developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs). Disproportionately
negative impacts should be assessed and addressed, as appropriate.
2 This procedure for assessing impacts on States of candidate measures identifies
steps, specifies what should be included in the different steps in the procedure,
and the respective roles of the proponent of a measure and of the Committee, without
prejudging the substance of any future impact assessment.
3 The duration of the impact assessment procedure may range from one to four meetings
depending on the level of assessment required and consideration of a measure by the
Committee before approval.
4 The Committee should review this procedure by 2023, in conjunction with the
adoption of the Revised Strategy.
Procedure
5 Impact assessment should be simple, inclusive, transparent, flexible,
evidence-based and measure-specific. The comprehensiveness of any impact assessment
should be commensurate to the complexity and nature of the proposed measure. Impact
assessment should be undertaken in parallel with the consideration and development
of a candidate measure. There are up to four steps in the procedure:
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.1 Step 1: initial impact assessment, to be submitted as part of
the initial proposal to the Committee for candidate measuresfootnote;
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.2 Step 2: submission of commenting document(s), if any;
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.3 Step 3: comprehensive response, if requested by commenting document(s);
and
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.4 Step 4: comprehensive impact assessment, if required by the Committee.
6 A proponent of a measure should submit an initial impact assessment at a minimum.
However, the proponent may submit a more detailed impact assessment in the first
instance, taking into account the elements listed in paragraph 15.
Step 1: initial impact assessment
7 Once the consideration of a measure is initiated, the Committee should consider the
initial impact assessment submitted as part of the candidate measure proposal.
8 The initial impact assessment should pay particular attention to the needs of
developing countries, especially SIDS and LDCs and, inter alia:
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.1 indicate if the proposal for the measure provides a description of impacts
on ships and emissions;
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.2 identify which impacts should be assessed, taking into account, as
appropriate, inter alia (1) geographic remoteness of and connectivity to
main markets; (2) cargo value and type; (3) transport dependency; (4)
transport costs; (5) food security; (6) disaster response; (7)
cost-effectiveness; and (8) socio-economic progress and development;
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.3 indicate both positive and negative potential impacts;
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.4 analyse the extent of the impacts (e.g. by quantifying them and relating
them to normal variations in transport costs, trade or GDP); and
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.5 assess whether the measure is likely to result in disproportionately
negative impacts and, if so, how they could be addressed (e.g. avoided,
remedied, mitigated), as appropriate.
9 The initial impact assessment should indicate the methodological tools and data
sources used, and may indicate the limitations of the analysis.
Step 2: submission of commenting document(s), if any
10 Member States may comment on the initial impact assessment to request
clarification and/or additional information.
11 Commenting document(s) should be submitted at the latest to the meeting following
on from the one where a proposal has been made.
12 Any interested Member State or international organization may submit additional
information and/or a separate impact assessment, as appropriate, of a proposed
measure or group of measures.
Step 3: comprehensive response, if requested by commenting document(s)
13 At the following meeting at the latest, the proponent(s) of the measure or any
interested Member State or international organization should provide a comprehensive
response to the commenting document(s).
Step 4: comprehensive impact assessment, if required by the Committee
14 If the Committee so decides, a comprehensive impact assessment should be
initiated, taking into account the issues identified in previous steps, including
the commenting documents. If no commenting document(s) have been submitted, the
Committee should consider the initial impact assessment and determine whether a
comprehensive impact assessment is required and, if so, how it would be
conducted.
15 The comprehensive impact assessment should pay particular attention to the needs
of developing countries, especially SIDS and LDCs and include, inter alia:
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.1 a description of the assumptions and methods used in the analysis;
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.2 a detailed qualitative and/or quantitative assessment of specific negative
impacts on States; and
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.3 an assessment of whether the measure is likely to result in
disproportionately negative impacts and, if so, recommendations on how they
could be addressed (e.g. avoided, remedied, mitigated), as appropriate.
16 The Committee should consider the comprehensive impact assessment, in order to
inform further consideration of the proposed measure, and take action as
appropriate.
17 Once the impact assessment is completed, and disproportionately negative impacts
assessed and addressed, as appropriate, the measure may be considered for adoption.
Analysis tools, models and support in undertaking the impact assessment
18 Impact assessment should be evidence-based and should take into account, as
appropriate, analysis tools and models, inter alia, as follows:
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.1 cost-effectiveness analysis tools such as maritime transport cost models,
trade flows models, impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP);
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.2 updated Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACCs); and
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.3 economic trade models, transport models and combined trade-transport
models.
19 Some Member States such as LDCs and SIDS may require assistance for the collection
of data and analysis of potential impacts.
Review of the impacts, upon request
20 Once a measure is adopted and enacted, the Committee should keep its
implementation and impacts under review, upon request of Member States, so that any
necessary adjustments may be made.