1 May 2017

Tuvalu PM calls for action over shipping emissions

3:11 pm on 1 May 2017

Tuvalu's prime mininister says more needs to be done to account for emissions from the global shipping industry.

Tuvalu Enele Sopoaga

Tuvalu's Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana

At a regional transport forum in Tonga last week, Enele Sopoaga said the industry contributed a significant amount of greenhouse gases, but there was currently no model to account for them.

He said that while shipping companies had made some improvements, such as introducing more fuel-efficient ships, more needs to be done.

Mr Sopoaga said he wanted a global accountability model to be created by the International Maritime Organisation.

"It's still not yet clear how we can account for the greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. For example, is it the maker of the ships, is it the charters of the cargo, or is it the registry or the flag under which the ships are operating? I mean, these are issues that need to be properly accounted for."