Jeanne M. Grasso and Holli B. Packer ●
The International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) Marine Environmental Protection Committee (“MEPC”) held its 84th session (“MEPC 84”) in London from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The session concluded with a commitment to rebuild consensus on global shipping emissions and proposed IMO Net-Zero Framework (“NZF”), even as the framework faced significant political opposition from the United States and several other Member States.
Background: The IMO Net-Zero Framework
The NZF is the centerpiece of the IMO’s medium-term greenhouse gas (“GHG”) reduction measure, which is intended to be formalized as a new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI. Its primary objective is to achieve net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050. The NZF was presented for adoption in October 2025, but the extraordinary session of the MEPC held that month was adjourned without action following significant opposition from several Member States. The IMO was then scheduled to reconvene in April 2026, at MEPC 84, to allow additional time for Member States to build consensus.
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