The 84th session of the Marine Protection Committee (MEPC 84) of the International Maritime Organization posed a significant threat to the viability of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) as well as to the overall effort to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.
Given the political tensions, it was unlikely that this meeting would allow a rapid adoption of the NZF. The priority objective of the supporters of the framework was therefore defensive: to preserve the essential elements of the NZF, namely:
- the possibility of introducing a fuel standard capable of effectively reducing emissions from the maritime sector;
- and a viable economic mechanism to finance the maritime transition, with particular attention to small island developing states (SIDS) and the least developed countries (LDCs).
In the end, the NZF advocates won their case: the framework survived the negotiations and will remain the basis for future discussions, even if the IMO acknowledged some concerns and will consider other proposed amendments.
Background
In 2023, the IMO adopted a new climate strategy setting out:
- a carbon neutrality goal by 2050,
- and intermediate targets for 2030 and 2040.
To achieve these objectives, the IMO developed the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), a set of measures including:
- a standard on the carbon intensity of marine fuels;
- and an emissions pricing mechanism.
A majority of Member States had approved the NZF in principle in April 2025.
The official adoption was to take place in October 2025 at the second extraordinary session (ES.2) of the MEPC. However, the new American administration, supported in particular by Saudi Arabia, strongly opposed it and put pressure on the states in favor of the text, in particular through tariff threats or visa restrictions.
Following these tensions, a majority of Member States voted to postpone the extraordinary session for one year without the adoption of the NZF.
New proposals and diplomatic tensions
Since this postponement, several States have submitted alternative proposals:
- some small island states have relaunched the idea of a direct emission tax;
- Japan has proposed to abolish the unit purchase mechanism feeding the Net-Zero Fund;
- Liberia has suggested a much less ambitious standard, with an annual emissions reduction of less than 1%.
Course of the ISWG-GHG 21 and MEPC 84 meetings
In April 2026, the IMO organized its first meetings on the NZF since the postponement of the ES.2:
- the 21st intersession meeting on GHG emissions from ships (ISWG-GHG 21);
- then the MEPC 84.
At ISWG-GHG 21, Member States worked on the technical guidelines of the NZF, including:
- calculations of the carbon intensity of fuels;
- and the operation of the Net-Zero Fund.
The United States, Saudi Arabia and some allies have repeatedly tried to suspend the discussions, believing that they presupposed the adoption of the NZF. However, the chairman of the meeting specified that this work did not legally bind the future adoption of the text.
At MEPC 84, political tensions intensified. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Liberia and Panama strongly challenged the NZF.
Faced with the persistent support of a large number of Member States, the opponents changed their strategy: rather than completely abolishing the NZF, they sought to place alternative proposals on an equal footing with it.
Final result
The final compromise adopted provides that Member States will examine various proposals to address concerns related to the draft amendment to MARPOL Annex VI on the Net-Zero Framework, in accordance with the IMO’s 2023 Climate Strategy.
In practice:
- the NZF remains the official basis for discussions;
- but other proposals can now be studied in parallel.
Given the geopolitical context and strong opposition, this result is considered a success for the defenders of the maritime climate framework.
Discussions will continue:
- during ISWG-GHG 22 in September 2026;
- then ISWG-GHG 23 and MEPC 85 in November 2026.
