Countries defend global shipping carbon price from Trump admin. at critical UN talks in International Shipping News 04/05/2026 Global carbon price on international shipping remains on the table, following negotiations at the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC84) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London this week. The Net-Zero Framework (NZF), a landmark climate regulation introducing the world’s first carbon pricing on any international sector, will be further discussed at an additional round of negotiations later this year. At MEPC84 this week: A majority of countries (55) who spoke at the meeting supported the NZF, emphasising the need for its carbon pricing/funding mechanism. These countries included: Brazil, the EU, the UK, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Mauritius, Switzerland, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Tonga, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Dominica, Belize and others. 51 countries favoured proposals to re-open the framework for substantial changes, including removing the carbon pricing element and/or weakening agreed limits on carbon intensity in fuels which would prolong the use of fossil fuels. These countries included: the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Argentina, Liberia, Venezuela, Qatar, Malaysia and others. On Friday, the discussion focused on the Terms of Reference for further negotiations. Countries agreed to move forward with the NZF as the only named, agreed framework in the text, but kept the door open to considering any existing or future proposals. Across the board, delegations throughout the week showed a clear willingness to continue the dialogue. Why this matters: Having more countries speak up to defend the IMO NZF from the attacks of the current US administration and other oil-producing states was an important boost to global climate diplomacy and multilateralism, said some delegates. This is particularly relevant as UN shipping talks took place at the same time as the Colombian conference on phasing out fossil fuels, signalling that countries are prepared to “walk the talk” at IMO. The US, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other mostly oil-producing states failed to achieve again their stated objective of weakening the agreement, despite exerting diplomatic pressure on countries during the negotiations. Next steps: The NZF will serve as a basis for further discussions this autumn, together with all existing or new proposals for the way forward. These other proposals right now include a Fiji proposal for a global carbon levy if the Framework is re-opened, Japan proposal to remove the carbon pricing element, and Panama/Liberia proposal to remove the carbon price while also weakening agreed limits on carbon intensity in fuels to prolong the use of fossil fuels. The IMO has until late 2026 to discuss adoption again. Experts say the NZF is key to help get ships off volatile fossil fuels faster, cut shipping fuel costs long-term, and move the industry closer towards achieving the climate targets countries unanimously committed to. The negotiations come at a time when global shipping has seen (fossil) bunker fuel prices doubling due to the war in the Middle East, adding private sector urgency to efforts to boost efficiency and move to alternatives. Aseri Driu, Director of Transport, Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Suva, Fiji, said: “Fiji, together with other Pacific states, came to London with a clear mandate to