LONDON, July 7 — The International Maritime Organisation, overseer of the highly-polluting shipping industry, has agreed to improve on its target to cut carbon emissions, according to a draft agreement seen today by AFP.

Compared with 2008 levels, the United Nations’ global shipping regulator has agreed to cut total annual emissions of greenhouse gases "by at least 20 per cent, striving for 30 per cent, by 2030” and "by at least 70 per cent, striving for 80 per cent, by 2040”.

The current target was a 50-per cent reduction by mid-century, compared with 2008.

Shipping emits roughly the same level of greenhouse gases as aviation, which is aiming for net zero by 2050.

The latest agreement comes at the end of a five-day meeting at the International Maritime Organization’s headquarters in London.

The gathering of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Commission pitted climate-vulnerable nations — particularly islands in the Pacific — and richer countries against big exporters like China.

The vast majority of the world’s 100,000 cargo ships — which carry 90 per cent of the world’s goods — are powered by highly-polluting diesel.

Shipping, which is responsible for around three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the UN, is judged to be off course in the fight against climate change.

Environmental campaigners on Monday protested outside the IMO’s headquarters.

Several dozen activists, including some dressed as jellyfish, urged greener freight to help tackle climate change and protect the oceans. — AFP