Environment & Energy

Landmark global shipping deal in tatters after US pressure

A landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions has been abandoned after Saudi Arabia and the US succeeded in ending the talks.

More than 100 countries had gathered in London to approve a deal first agreed in April, which would have seen shipping become the world's first industry to adopt internationally mandated targets to reduce emissions.

But President Trump had called the plan a "green scam" and representatives of his administration had threatened countries with tariffs if they had voted in favour.

Reflecting the pressure countries faced, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation Arsenio Dominguez issued a "plea" for this not to be repeated.

In a dramatic conclusion on Friday, when countries should have been voting to approve the deal, Saudi Arabia tabled a motion to adjourn the talks for a year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vnl0yxg53o

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143549070