Several transparency and accountability
flaws could hinder the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ability to
deliver on its own climate goals in reducing carbon emissions, a new report
by Transparency International showed.
flaws could hinder the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ability to
deliver on its own climate goals in reducing carbon emissions, a new report
by Transparency International showed.
The report entitled, “Governance at the
International Maritime Organisation: The Case for Reform,” outlines several key
policy issues and recommendations that the IMO, the United Nation’s leading
shipping agency, must address in order to meet international standards for
transparency, accountability, and integrity.
The Berlin-based non-governmental
organization said that these changes are essential if the IMO is going to
honour its environmental and climate mandates and reach a reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50 per cent by 2050.
organization said that these changes are essential if the IMO is going to
honour its environmental and climate mandates and reach a reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50 per cent by 2050.
“Our biggest recommendation is to
transform the IMO’s accountability policies, which are currently hindering
policymaking and leaving the agency susceptible to private influence. While the
IMO’s initial strategy adopted in April is a big step forward for the
international shipping sector, more must be done to ensure the agency meets its
targets,” said Rueben Lifuka, vice
chair of Transparency International.
transform the IMO’s accountability policies, which are currently hindering
policymaking and leaving the agency susceptible to private influence. While the
IMO’s initial strategy adopted in April is a big step forward for the
international shipping sector, more must be done to ensure the agency meets its
targets,” said Rueben Lifuka, vice
chair of Transparency International.
Currently, if left unchecked, shipping
emissions could grow from 2.5 percent to 17 percent by 2050. However, to limit
the rise in global temperatures by one-and-a-half-degree, as outlined in the
Paris Agreement, some research suggests this number must actually reach zero by
2050.
emissions could grow from 2.5 percent to 17 percent by 2050. However, to limit
the rise in global temperatures by one-and-a-half-degree, as outlined in the
Paris Agreement, some research suggests this number must actually reach zero by
2050.
As the principal international body
tackling shipping issues, the IMO has a significant role to play in curbing
emissions. However, in its current set-up, the IMO is at risk of severely
under-delivering on its targets.
tackling shipping issues, the IMO has a significant role to play in curbing
emissions. However, in its current set-up, the IMO is at risk of severely
under-delivering on its targets.
The report finds several specific flaws
in the IMO governance structure, including a disproportionate influence of
private industry over the IMO and an unequal influence of certain Member States
in the policymaking process. In addition, the agency suffers from an increase
in privately-operated registries in states that serve as tax havens and a lack
of delegate accountability.
in the IMO governance structure, including a disproportionate influence of
private industry over the IMO and an unequal influence of certain Member States
in the policymaking process. In addition, the agency suffers from an increase
in privately-operated registries in states that serve as tax havens and a lack
of delegate accountability.
As such, Transparency International has
urged the IMO and its Member States to take the following immediate actions:
urged the IMO and its Member States to take the following immediate actions:
– Engage in open dialogue with civil
society, industry and other key stakeholders to improve transparency and remove
current restrictions on journalists covering IMO meetings and speakers.
society, industry and other key stakeholders to improve transparency and remove
current restrictions on journalists covering IMO meetings and speakers.
– Ensure decision-making processes are transparent and reflect the public
interest by developing rules for the appointment of Member State delegations
and third-party representatives.
– Ensure decision-makers are subject to robust integrity rules by expanding the
mandate of the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office to detect and investigate
potential breaches in the code of conduct and provide subsequent sanctions, if
necessary, or refer to national authorities, as appropriate. In addition,
extend the IMO’s whistleblowing and complaint policies to include Member State
representatives.
mandate of the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office to detect and investigate
potential breaches in the code of conduct and provide subsequent sanctions, if
necessary, or refer to national authorities, as appropriate. In addition,
extend the IMO’s whistleblowing and complaint policies to include Member State
representatives.
World Maritime News.
