Clean Arctic Alliance urges action on COP30 Black Carbon Pledge – Container News

Report on Mitigating Black Carbon Emissions in Arctic Shipping to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report outlines the urgent international call for regulatory action to reduce black carbon emissions from shipping in the Arctic. It analyzes recent governmental pledges and advocacy efforts in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The impending International Maritime Organization (IMO) deadline for fuel proposals presents a critical opportunity for member states to mandate the use of cleaner polar fuels, thereby protecting the vulnerable Arctic ecosystem and supporting global climate objectives.

2.0 International Commitments and Alignment with SDGs

Recent international developments highlight a growing consensus on the need to address black carbon as a potent, short-lived climate pollutant. These actions directly support several key SDGs.

• COP30 Pledge: A coalition of nine countries (Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda) has committed to significant cuts in black carbon emissions from energy and transport sectors.
• SDG Alignment: This initiative directly contributes to:
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): By targeting a climate forcer that significantly accelerates the melting of Arctic snow and ice.
  • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): By improving air quality and public health in affected regions.
  • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By reducing air pollution that impacts Arctic communities.

3.0 Regulatory Framework and Call for Leadership

The IMO is the primary body for regulating international shipping. Upcoming deadlines and meetings are pivotal for translating commitments into binding international law, a process central to achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3.1 Impending IMO Deadline

A deadline of December 5 is set for IMO member states to submit proposals concerning the use of polar fuels. These submissions will inform critical decisions at the Pollution Prevention and Response Committee (PPR 13) meeting in February 2026, which is tasked with establishing rules for fuel use in Arctic shipping.

3.2 Call for Action from Arctic States

The Clean Arctic Alliance has urged Arctic governments, specifically Canada, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark/Greenland, to lead this initiative. The key demands are:

1. Submit proposals for mandatory regulations requiring the use of cleaner fuels in Arctic waters before the December 5 deadline.
2. Champion the establishment of a mandatory polar fuel standard under MARPOL Annex VI.
3. Address the long-standing delay at the IMO, where black carbon has remained an unresolved issue for over a decade.

4.0 Proposed Solutions and Environmental Impact

The primary solution advocated is the mandatory adoption of cleaner fuels, which would provide immediate benefits for the climate and Arctic ecosystems, directly supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

4.1 Mandatory Polar Fuels

A regulation under MARPOL Annex VI would require ships in the Arctic to use fuels with low black carbon profiles, such as DMA, DMZ, or equivalent alternatives. This measure would:

• Deliver rapid and significant reductions in black carbon emissions.
• Complement long-term decarbonisation efforts in the shipping industry, fostering innovation in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

4.2 Findings from the “On Thin Ice” Report

A report from Pacific Environment, titled On Thin Ice: Why Black Carbon Demands Urgent Action, reinforces the need for immediate action. Key findings include:

• Expanding Arctic shipping routes are increasing regional black carbon pollution.
• Black carbon deposits on snow and ice accelerate melting, creating a dangerous feedback loop that exacerbates climate change (SDG 13).
• A transition to existing and available polar fuels offers an immediate and effective solution to mitigate these impacts, protecting both the climate and the health of Arctic communities and ecosystems (SDG 3, SDG 14).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly states that reducing black carbon would improve “public health, and air quality,” directly connecting the issue to the goal of ensuring healthy lives.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The focus on regulating fuels for the shipping industry and the call for “mandatory cleaner fuels” and “polar fuels” relates to making industries, specifically maritime transport, more sustainable and environmentally sound.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the central theme. The article identifies black carbon as a “potent climate pollutant” that “heavily impacts the Arctic” by accelerating the melting of snow and ice. The entire call to action is framed around mitigating climate change.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The discussion is centered on regulating pollution from “ships operating in Arctic waters” under the IMO’s MARPOL convention. This directly addresses the goal of preventing marine pollution to protect Arctic ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights international cooperation, mentioning a pledge by “nine countries,” the role of the “Nordic Council of Ministers,” the “Clean Arctic Alliance,” and the need for action within the “IMO member states.” This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve a common goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s statement that cutting black carbon improves “public health” and “air quality” directly aligns with this target.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The call for the shipping industry to switch to “cleaner fuels—such as DMA, DMZ, or new fuels with similar low black-carbon profiles” is a direct application of this target.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article urges Arctic governments to “push for mandatory cleaner fuels” and submit proposals to the IMO, which is an integration of climate measures into international and national maritime policy.
• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds… from shipping. The proposed “mandatory polar fuel regulation under MARPOL Annex VI” is a specific measure aimed at reducing pollution from ships in Arctic waters.
• Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The effort to create harmonized international rules through the IMO for Arctic shipping, involving multiple governments and alliances, is an example of enhancing policy coherence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Reduction in black carbon emissions: The primary goal is to “cut black carbon emissions.” Measuring the volume of these emissions from Arctic shipping would be the key indicator of progress for SDG 13 and SDG 3.
• Adoption of mandatory fuel regulations: A clear, measurable indicator is whether the IMO adopts “mandatory polar fuel regulation under MARPOL Annex VI.” The article notes that the PPR 13 meeting in February 2026 is a “critical chance to finally adopt measures.”
• Number of government proposals submitted to the IMO: The article mentions a “December 5 deadline” for IMO member states to “submit proposals on polar fuels.” The number and strength of these proposals serve as an immediate indicator of government commitment and progress towards Target 13.2.
• Use of cleaner fuels in Arctic shipping: An indicator for Target 9.4 would be the percentage of ships operating in the Arctic using “polar fuels” or other fuels with “low black-carbon profiles.” The article implies this by stating that a switch would “deliver immediate climate and health benefits.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: container-news.com