THE European Commission has welcomed the approval of a new global greenhouse gas emissions-cutting measure but has reiterated plans to include shipping in its carbon market regime.

The International Maritime Organization this week approved a combined short-term GHG emissions measure with technical and operational efficiency requirements for ships.

“The agreement reached in the IMO to introduce new mandatory technical and operational measures lays the foundation for a dedicated IMO legal framework to make existing ships more energy efficient,” an EC spokesperson told Lloyd’s List.

The measure was the result of heavy compromise among member states and has received criticism for not being ambitious enough and potentially not helping in meeting some of the IMO’s key emissions goals.

“However, we recognise the outcomes do not meet all the expectations and the level of ambition agreed at the EU level,” the spokesperson added.

Despite its support for the IMO and the new measure, the commission still plans to include shipping in the European Union’s Emissions Trading System, the bloc’s carbon market.

The move is opposed by both the shipping industry and the IMO, who want global uniform regulations on emissions.

The commission is expected to roll out its proposal for a revised carbon market, which will include at least intra-EU shipping, in mid-2021.

The European Parliament has already proposed that both intra-EU and international voyages be included in the ETS.