Reducing shipping’s climate impact

A shipping boat traveling through the ocean.

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, moving the essential goods that keep communities and industries running. Yet the sector's near-total reliance on fossil fuels means those benefits come at a significant price — one paid by the climate, by ecosystems, and by the coastal and port communities exposed to some of the most severe air pollution on the planet.

As world trade continues to grow, so too will shipping's toll on the climate and air quality — unless the sector acts. A genuine transition to cleaner fuels and power requires more than good intentions: it calls for scalable new technologies, meaningful financial incentives for ship owners, and a global policy and regulatory environment capable of driving — and where necessary, enforcing — the shift.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is now at a crossroads. Years of technical work and negotiation have produced the foundations of a global framework to decarbonize the sector by 2050. There is now an opportunity to ensure the outcome provides the clarity and confidence needed to support a coordinated transition to cleaner shipping.

For industry, a clear and predictable global approach is essential. Ship owners, fuel producers, ports and infrastructure developers are making long-term, capital-intensive decisions today. Regulatory certainty enables investment, accelerates innovation, and supports the scaling of zero and near-zero emission fuels and technologies.

For governments, collective action through the IMO offers the most effective path to progress at scale. A strong global framework can establish a level playing field, set enforceable standards, and help direct support to countries and communities most affected by the climate crisis.

Beyond climate impacts, shipping emissions also affect air quality and public health. Because vessels operate across borders, these impacts are shared internationally. A coordinated global approach is essential to deliver meaningful health and environmental benefits in a way that protects communities and enables a fair and efficient transition for global shipping.

EDF works across modes to ensure that global transport is a thriving part of sustainable development, the global economy, and can deliver the goods and mobility people need to thrive without compromising clean air or climate stability. EDF is committed to making the shipping sector’s transition away from fossil fuels as efficient and fair as possible by working with governments, industry, and international partners to support practical, science-based solutions that reduce pollution from the sector. EDF brings relevant scientific knowledge and research to the IMO and serves as a trusted partner and advisor to both Member States and industry, and proudly works with industry partners to ensure their projects are scientifically sound and to minimize the impacts of marine fuels on the climate, human health and the environment.