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The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), a coalition of shipping leaders from around the world that is working to achieve a vision of the shipping industry that is both profitable and sustainable, has released a statement today which calls on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to "show real leadership in creating an ambitious and progressive global framework that will facilitate the necessary and urgent reduction in CO2 emissions from the industry that is needed to support the below 2-degree target".

The UK-headquartered SSI stresses that the upcoming Marine Environmental Committee Meeting (MEPC 69) in April 2016 is "a crucial landmark for the IMO to demonstrate to the world its commitment", and for the rest of the shipping industry to show its support in reducing its impact on the environment.

Commenting on the recent 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP 21, which was held in Paris, from 30 November to 12 December 2015, the SSI said: "The conclusion of COP21, and the unified response by 200 countries to mitigate the huge risks of climate change, should be met with optimism. It is a significant step in getting commitment and setting clear objectives that will require a global move towards alternative, clean and renewable energy.

"Although there is no specific mention of shipping within the text, it does not diminish the considerable role that the industry must play in achieving a target of below 2 degrees warming. The scale of the challenge has already been identified and will only be achieved if there is early action by the IMO to create a global framework that is ambitious, progressive, and fully supported by regional regulators and jurisdictions, as well as the industry alike. Similar to the COP21 agreement, shipping must adopt a unified response based on collaboration, pragmatism and controlled urgency.

"The Marine Environmental Protection Committee meeting (MEPC69) in April 2016 is a crucial landmark, and an opportunity for the IMO to demonstrate to the world its commitment to shipping playing its part in the global reductions."

The SSI

The SSI is a coalition of shipping leaders from around the world that has been set up to tackle some of the sector's greatest opportunities and challenges. The group is working to achieve a vision of an industry in which sustainability equals success.

The ultimate goal of the SSI is to show that collaborative action is possible, and to mobilise support across the industry, demonstrating that shipping can contribute to - and thrive in - a sustainable future.

The cross-industry SSI has members from 15 companies representing ship owners and charterers, shipbuilders, engineers and service providers, banking and classification societies. Member companies include ABN AMRO, AkzoNobel, American Bureau of Shipping, Bunge, Cargill, Carnival Corporation, China Navigation Company, Gearbulk, IMC, Lloyd's Register Maersk Line, Namura Shipbuilding, Unilever, U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation and Wärtsilä.

In September 2013, the SSI became an independent charity. The SSI was initially facilitated by non-profit sustainable development organisation Forum for the Future in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). Forum for the Future and WWF remain as SSI non-governmental organization (NGO) members.