Members of the European Parliament took part in talks at the International Maritime Organization on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.
A delegation from the Committees on Environment, Climate Change and Food Safety, and on Transport and Tourism, led by Thomas Bajada (S&D, MT), attended the 84th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London from 27 to 29 April 2026. The two other MEPs in the delegation were Jana Nagyova (PfE, CZ) and Jeannette Baljeu (Renew, NL).
In London, the MEPs followed the proceedings of the MEPC plenary and working group meetings, in a context shaped by the postponement of the adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework in October 2025. MEPs also held bilateral exchanges with the IMO secretary-general, the chair of MEPC 84, key IMO member states, representatives from the shipping industry and environmental non-governmental organisations. In the meetings, MEPs reaffirmed Parliament’s support for a global, rules-based framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, while maintaining environmental ambition, regulatory coherence and fair competition.
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At the end of the delegation, the Chair of the delegation, Thomas Bajada, said:
“To deliver a successful and just transition in global shipping, we need a common and predictable global framework that drives the energy transition and preserves the ambition of the 2023 IMO greenhouse gas strategy. This is not only about the maritime sector. It is about the people who depend on it for their everyday life: for the movement of goods and people, and for a cleaner environment and a healthier ocean.”
Background
The European Parliament is a co-legislator on EU environmental, climate and transport policy. The delegation was part of Parliament’s continued commitment to support international initiatives to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. Its purpose was also to make sure Parliament is kept up to date on the state of play on current negotiations, the practical action under consideration by IMO member states, and prospects for reaching a consensus on mid-term measures to reduce GHG emission from ships, as well as on other environmental priorities under discussion.
Contacts:
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Thomas HAAHR
Press Officer