The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization on Oct. 17 announced it would delay a vote on its proposed Net Zero Framework for one year. In the interim, UN member states will continue to work towards consensus on the framework.&nbsp;The IMO is a specialized agency of the UN that regulates maritime transport. The organization in April 2025 took a step toward establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by or near 2050. The proposed framework is the first of its kind to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.&nbsp;The Net Zero Framework was approved by the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee in April. A vote to formally adopt the framework was expected to be held during the extraordinary session of the MEPC, which convened Oct. 14-17. The IMO, however, on Oct. 17 announced efforts to formally adopt the framework will be delayed for one year, with the extraordinary session set to reconvene in October 2026. The Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, scheduled to meet Oct. 20-24, will go ahead an continue to work on the guidelines for implementing the Net Zero Framework.&nbsp;The framework, as approved in April, was expected to enter into force in 2027 and be mandatory for large ocean-going ships of over 5,000 gross tonnage, which the IMO said emit 85% of total CO2 emissions from international shipping.&nbsp;The draft regulations include a global fuel standard and global economic measure. Under the global fuel standard, ships would be required to recue their annual GHG fuel intensity (GFI) over time. GHG reductions would be calculated using a well-to-wake approach. Under the global economic measures, ships emitting above the GFI thresholds would have to acquire remedial units to balance its deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero GHG technologies would be eligible for financial rewards. The proposal included two levels of compliance with GFI targets, including a base target and a direct compliance target at which ships would be eligible to earn surplus units.&nbsp;Adoption of the ICO’s Net Zero Framework was expected to boost demand for biobased fuels, according to comments made by U.S. renewable fuel producers ahead of the Oct. 17 vote. According to <a href="https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/roeslein-renewables-says-global-maritime-shift-could-unlock-200-billion-in-new-agricultural-revenues">Roeslein Renewables</a>, the framework could significantly boost demand for renewable natural gas (RNG)-based fuels and biodiesel. <a href="https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/vanguard-renewables-unveils-trillion-dollar-opportunity-for-us-industry-in-global-maritime-fuel-shift">Vanguard Renewables</a> also noted the framework was expected to boost RNG demand while the <a href="https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/leveraging-ethanols-versatility-in-the-marine-sector">U.S. Grains &amp; Bioproducts Council</a> stressed the framework could create new opportunities for the ethanol industry.&nbsp;

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The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization on Oct. 17 announced it would delay a vote on its proposed Net Zero Framework for one year. In the interim, UN member states will continue to work towards consensus on the framework. 

IMO delays vote on Net Zero Framework

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