The International Maritime Organization (IMO) would further study the outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen last month.

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos said: "We will study carefully the text that emerged from COP 15 to see what, if any, repercussions it may have on shipping and our work, and will report to MEPC 60 in March 2010 on the outcome of our findings so that appropriate action “including re-adjusting our work plan so that the contribution of shipping is equitable, commensurate and proportionate to that of other activities can be taken, as appropriate, on a priority basis.”

Notwithstanding the outcome of COP 15, the international maritime community stands ready to build on the momentum created in Copenhagen by contributing further to the attainment of the objectives set through the 2005 IMO Action Plan, namely the putting in place of a comprehensive regulatory regime aimed at limiting or reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

"We have already made good progress through a partnership of our member States, the shipping industry and civil society interests. We can, therefore, move forward now, through our Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), to complete that Action Plan and to enact the standards, measures and mechanisms required to that effect," said Mitropoulos.

Mitropoulos viewed the Copenhagen Conference with concern that the target initially pursued, following the 2007 Bali Conference, of a legally binding instrument, was not achieved.

"I viewed the accord tabled at the end of the deliberations, a step in the right direction was taken enabling progress to be made towards a legally binding instrument; and with hope that, following new rounds of consultations to be held post-Copenhagen, the required consensus on action needed to be taken to save the planet will be reached at the next conference possibly in Mexico one year from now." (EHL)