CacheMeOutside
Well-known member
UN Vote on Global Carbon Tax on Shipping Postponed Amid US Opposition
The United Nations has delayed a crucial vote on imposing the world's first global carbon tax on shipping, a move that had been seen as a key step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the sector. The decision to postpone the vote was made after a majority of member nations voted to defer it due to opposition from the US and other countries.
The proposal, which is part of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) "Net-Zero Framework", aims to raise billions of dollars in revenue from carriers that exceed new emissions limits, with the funds being channeled towards climate adaptation and clean-fuel projects in developing nations. However, the Trump administration has been vehemently opposed to the measure, calling it an "unconstitutional global tax" that would drive up energy and consumer prices.
The US opposition was backed by Saudi Arabia, which introduced a motion to delay discussions for one year, which passed with 57 countries voting in favor and 49 opposing. The move has been seen as a significant blow to the efforts to implement the carbon tax, which had been supported by the European Union and Brazil.
While the postponement of the vote may be seen as a setback, supporters of the measure argue that it is essential to push the shipping industry, which accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, to meet net-zero targets by mid-century. They point out that a uniform carbon price is the only way to achieve this goal and that the current proposal represents a crucial step towards reducing emissions from the sector.
However, the US and other opponents argue that the proposal would unfairly burden American businesses and consumers with increased costs. President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States will vote against the measure, stating that it would be "a global green new scam tax on shipping" that would harm American consumers.
The decision to postpone the vote means that the debate over a global carbon tax on shipping will continue for another year, with nations still needing to reach consensus in order for the proposal to take effect. The future of the measure remains uncertain, but its postponement is likely to prolong the debate and keep pressure on governments to act on climate change.
The United Nations has delayed a crucial vote on imposing the world's first global carbon tax on shipping, a move that had been seen as a key step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the sector. The decision to postpone the vote was made after a majority of member nations voted to defer it due to opposition from the US and other countries.
The proposal, which is part of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) "Net-Zero Framework", aims to raise billions of dollars in revenue from carriers that exceed new emissions limits, with the funds being channeled towards climate adaptation and clean-fuel projects in developing nations. However, the Trump administration has been vehemently opposed to the measure, calling it an "unconstitutional global tax" that would drive up energy and consumer prices.
The US opposition was backed by Saudi Arabia, which introduced a motion to delay discussions for one year, which passed with 57 countries voting in favor and 49 opposing. The move has been seen as a significant blow to the efforts to implement the carbon tax, which had been supported by the European Union and Brazil.
While the postponement of the vote may be seen as a setback, supporters of the measure argue that it is essential to push the shipping industry, which accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, to meet net-zero targets by mid-century. They point out that a uniform carbon price is the only way to achieve this goal and that the current proposal represents a crucial step towards reducing emissions from the sector.
However, the US and other opponents argue that the proposal would unfairly burden American businesses and consumers with increased costs. President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States will vote against the measure, stating that it would be "a global green new scam tax on shipping" that would harm American consumers.
The decision to postpone the vote means that the debate over a global carbon tax on shipping will continue for another year, with nations still needing to reach consensus in order for the proposal to take effect. The future of the measure remains uncertain, but its postponement is likely to prolong the debate and keep pressure on governments to act on climate change.