United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) announcements

IMO2020: 85% Reduction in Shipping Sulfur Emissions Linked to Slight Atmospheric Warming

May 30, 2024, 06:14 PM

A significant reduction in sulfur emissions from the shipping industry, due to the 2020 IMO2020 regulations, has led to an abrupt decrease of approximately 85% in sulfur air pollution. While this reduction is beneficial for human health, it has also contributed slightly to atmospheric warming. A new study estimates the resulting radiative forcing and suggests that cleaner shipping fuel has accelerated global warming. However, some scientists argue that the impact of ship-borne sulfate aerosol reduction on the anomalous warmth of 2023 is minimal, attributing the temperature spike more to the La Nina to El Nino transition. The new estimate of the IMO low-sulfur marine fuel regulations also highlights the warming in the North Atlantic.