Policy Development
Strengthening the shipping nexus approach at the international policy level
Background
Policy Development at the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR), Ship Design (SDC) subcommittees, the Marine Environment Protection (MEPC) and the Legal (LEG) committees are critical to the development of international regulations that govern shipping’s impacts.
Equal Routes works to ensure that policies developed across these bodies reflect the connections between climate, pollution, biodiversity and human rights. Our work includes:
Policy research
Holding stakeholder consultations and engagement
Drafting proposals aimed at driving cohesive international policies that tackle the complexities of sustainability in shipping
Our Approach & Policy Priorities
Following strategic files across IMO committees and subcommittees to ensure intersectionality* of pollution, biodiversity, climate and just and equitable goals are reflected in policy outcomes.
Protecting Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)
The emerging IMO agenda on the BBNJ Agreement strengthens the Particularly Sensitive Sea Area framework.
Ensuring the updating of spill liability regimes reflects just and equitable frameworks, Indigenous cultural loss, and the life cycle cost of polluting fuels.
Just and Equitable Frameworks
Climate frameworks and guidelines discussed at the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gases (ISWG-GHG) and MEPC reflect measures and outcomes that reduce pollution such as underwater noise and address biodiversity loss.
Climate Frameworks
Advocating for binding measures through the PPR Subcommittee to reduce black carbon emissions in the Arctic, protect habitats, improve air quality, and safeguard food security.
Reducing Black Carbon in the Arctic
*Equal Routes is addressing complex challenges in the shipping sector through an approach inspired by Kimberlé Crenshaw in the context of the civil rights movement and critical race theory.
Policy News and Resources
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Environmental Groups Urge Canada to Lead After IMO Delays Vote on Shipping Emissions
Press release: Adjournment of discussions on adoption of Net-Zero Framework at the IMO highlights critical need for Canadian leadership.
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Canada is Failing to Lead on Arctic Shipping’s Black-Carbon Pollution
Op-Ed in The Hill Times: Climate change has reduced sea ice levels, making mining, oil and gas development more accessible and increasing shipping traffic and global security concerns.
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MEPC 84: Experience Building Phase for the Reduction of Underwater Radiated Noise from Shipping
A just and equitable approach, combining ship-based performance standards with area-based management measures, and mandatory measures are recommended for the reduction of URN.
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MEPC 84: Identification and Protection of Special Areas, ECAS and PSSAs
Strengthening the PSSA framework to improve collaboration with the BBNJ Agreement, and to better address climate, biodiversity and pollution and advance equity in ocean governance.
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PPR 13: Biofouling at the Intersection of Climate Change, Pollution and Biodiversity Loss
Biofouling risks pertaining to climate change, food security and cultural loss, marine environmental pollution, including underwater radiated noise and biodiversity loss.
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MEPC 82: Shipping at the Intersection of Climate, Biodiversity and Pollution
This submission known as the “shipping nexus” issue, highlights the urgent need for shipping solutions that address the interconnected planetary crises of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
