News 15 Aug, 2023 Making a Positive Impact - Waypoints Issue 04 The International Maritime Organisation has over many decades developed and adopted mandatory rules, as well as recommendations and guidelines, to protect the marine environment, writes Natasha Brown. Download PDF Natasha Brown Head of Media and Communications (IMO) Protecting our Oceans  One of the key conventions for protecting the oceans is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), first adopted in 1973.  The chosen IMO World Maritime Theme for 2023 “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on” emphasises IMO’s commitment to protecting and preserving the marine environment, which has remained unwavering over the years. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping is a top priority, while IMO must also tackle other issues including protecting biodiversity, biofouling, the transfer of invasive species, and plastic and noise pollution Decarbonisation  As the leading global forum to regulate international shipping, the IMO’s role in decarbonisation is to promote a just, equitable and inclusive transition, which all Member States can take a part in. Representing 175 member states, the greatest challenge the IMO faces in this journey is to ensure that nobody is left behind. It is important to overcome barriers of global access to low and zero-carbon marine fuels and give direction to incentivise the availability and scalability of such fuels and technologies.  In tackling this challenge, focus needs to be given to support developing countries with the technologies and capabilities required to achieve this just transition. It is important to set a clear decarbonisation course, to alleviate concerns and provide clarity around the intended trajectory. In addition to the EEXI and CII Regulation which came into effect from January 2023 to reduce the carbon intensity of shipping, the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is in the process of