NGOs and Indigenous groups today cautiously acknowledged progress by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States in agreeing on a draft regulation on heavy fuel oil (HFO) use and carriage in the Arctic, but denounced the inclusion of loopholes in the text that mean the ban will not come into effect until 2029, leaving the Arctic exposed to the growing threat of HFO spills for close to another decade.
Canada’s support of an international ban of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in Arctic waters is an important step to safeguard the long-term future of indigenous communities in the North, two Inuit organizations say.
The Clean Arctic Alliance welcomes Canada’s support for a ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in Arctic waters, however we believe the International Maritime Organization must not entertain any arguments calling for a delay or exemptions in the implementation of an Arctic ban on HFO”
NGOs this morning called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to protect the Arctic marine environment from the impacts of international shipping, by agreeing to a new regulation banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) as fuel by ships operating in Arctic waters during this week’s “Arctic IMO Summit” in London.
Canada will support a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil by ships plying Arctic waters at the upcoming meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, Transport Canada officials announced during a teleconference call Wednesday, according to people who participated in the call.
The use of heavy fuel oil by ships crossing the Arctic creates the risk of a catastrophic spill - which would be practically impossible to clean up. Worse still, when heavy fuel oil (HFO ) is burned in ship's engines, the black carbon emitted falls onto Arctic snow or ice.
Our civilization has developed during a period of incredibly stable climate over the past 10000 years. The predicted changes for the next few hundred years are in steep contrast. The Arctic is the most important early warning system for climate change on our planet. Rapid loss of Arctic sea ice is a clear indicator of changing climate.
Infographic detailing the environmental and social impacts of a HFO spill; the economic impacts of a ban on HFO in the Arctic.
The Clean Arctic Alliance has published an open letter to industry requesting that not only should individual organisations and companies take responsibility for ensuring that their fuels to not lead to further pollution, but that they should actively work to limit the climate impact from global shipping.
Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Case for the Arctic Transport & Environment, October 2017 Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Case for the Arctic (pdf)