Thread by @CleanArctic

On Friday, "an IMO sub-committee approved proposed Arctic heavy fuel oil ban. Environmental advocates & indigenous peoples’ groups criticized the ban as insufficient & called on Arctic states to pass stronger regulation on their own. "
@malte_humpert @IMOHQ @ArcticCouncil #mepc75

https://twitter.com/HighNorthNews/status/1330773821666832384

The @IMOHQ regulation, however, has repeatedly been criticized by environmental organizations @CleanArctic as too weak due to a number of loopholes, which will allow #Arctic states to continue using HFO until mid-2029.

highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75

“In its current form, the ban will achieve only a minimal reduction in HFO use and carriage by ships in the Arctic in mid-2024, when it comes into effect,” says Dr @Sian_Prior9 , Lead Advisor to @CleanArctic Alliance. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @IMOHQ @ArcticCouncil

The new regulation allows Arctic states to issue waivers to their flagged vessels, delaying ban until end of decade. “It is now crucial #Arctic coastal states do not resort to issuing waivers to their flagged vessels,” adds @Sian_Prior9. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @IMOHQ

"HFO is the heaviest and most viscous type of residual fuel oil which, in case of an accidental spill, would be very difficult to clean up in the cold waters of the Arctic." @malte_humpert @IMOHQ @ArcticCouncil highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @IMOHQ

"HFO already banned in waters around #Antarctica & key source of black carbon emissions which have a strong regional warming effect when dark soot particles settle on white snowy surfaces resulting in increased heat absorption and ice melt." highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @IMOHQ

"Use of HFO in Arctic is so common that it accounts for 80% of marine fuel carried. Effect of the now-approved ban will be very ltd according to researchers @BryanComerPhD & will reduce use of HFO by only 16% & carriage by only 30%." highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… @IMOHQ #mepc75

“A ‘ban’ that affects just a quarter of ships is not a ban at all”, says John Maggs, Senior Policy Advisor at @SeasAtRisk. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @IMOHQ

"@IMOHQ new regulation fails to treat all flags equally, allowing the five central Arctic coastal states to issue waivers that will allow all ships flying their flag to continue to use HFO,” he continues. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 @arcticcouncil

“Use of HFO in #Arctic is likely to continue to grow until ban takes full effect in 2029 - so not only does ban not sufficiently protect Arctic, it’s contributing to a greater exposure to risks associated with use of heavy fuel oil” @Sian_Prior9 highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75

Environmental groups now urge IMO members to strengthen ban prior to final vote. They also point to unilateral initiatives to ban HFO in domestic Arctic waters, such as Norway’s recent proposal to eliminate fuel from waters surrounding Svalbard. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75

“The @IMOHQ decision to approve this weak HFO ban will force us to find other ways to protect the #Arctic”, said Alexey Knizhnikov, Responsible Industry Programme Leader at @wwfRU. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… #mepc75 #russia @ArcticCouncil

Russia in particular is a focal point for organizations like the @WWF_Arctic . The country accounts for the vast majority of Arctic shipping and has only weak safety rules in place along the route without proper enforcement. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc…

In 2017, last year for which Russia made data avail. > 100 ships violated safety of navigation rules along Northern Sea Route. Russia also seeks to further soften ice-class requirements along route allowing vessels with no or less ice protection to travel thru Arctic waters.

“Today’s @IMOHQ decision is a massive missed opportunity to provide urgently needed protection for #Arctic & #Indigenous Peoples who rely on those waters,” says Mellisa Johnson, Director of the @BeringSeaElders, based in Alaska. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc…

The @BeringSeaElders points out the HFO “ban” is misnomer & will likely result in confusion & let wider public assume that Arctic will now be protected from risks of HFO, when in fact the use of this type of fuel will remain widespread in region. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… @IMOHQ

@threadreaderapp unroll

“We cannot wait ten years to stop heavy fuel oil use in the Arctic. Ten years is simply too long to wait,” Johnson concludes. highnorthnews.com/en/imo-and-arc… @IMOHQ @ArcticCouncil @BeringSeaElders #climateaction