In a landmark turn of environmental diplomacy, the global shipping industry has taken a stance against climate change by pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
The shipping and aviation industries have previously been excluded from climate talks because they range across international territories, rather than being nationally-based; but according to the BBC, the shipping industry could be called the world’s sixth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, making it roughly equal with Germany.
Larger countries, such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia, were reluctant to enforce any emission cuts, while smaller countries in the European Union were keen on pursuing 70% to 100% emission cuts.
But the 50% pledge, which was established during the International Maritime Organization talks in London earlier this week, was considered a fair goal to set for all nations involved.
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