RNZ 9th April 2018
Members of the International Maritime Organisation are divided on proposed targets to cut the sector's greenhouse gas emissions.
The IMO will meet later this week in London where Pacific and European countries are seeking commitment to cut the sector's greenhouse gas emissions 70-100 percent from 2008 levels by 2050.
However a draft text circulating ahead of the meeting proposes only to half the industry's carbon footprint by 2050.
According to Climate Change News, countries such as Brazil, India and Saudi Arabia, are concerned about the impact of an absolute target on trade.
But countries like Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands warn the 50 percent level undermines the UN Paris Climate Agreement goal to hold global warming "well below 2C" and aim for 1.5C.
With this week's emissions target deadline looming, the Marshalls' environment minister David Paul said the IMO was at a crossroads.