Report

Freedom to regulate the high seas

March 11, 2022

How countries can meet their Paris Agreement obligation to reduce the climate impact of international shipping without conflicting with existing international law

The dual legal obligations imposed by the Paris Agreement and the UN Law of the Sea mean that states have a duty to reduce emissions, via national and regional regulation, from international shipping in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goals. This analysis assesses the legality of states regulating international shipping through national and/or regional regulations.

Related Articles

View All
Press Release

Ocean protection means including shipping in countries’ Paris climate targets

Joint press release by Opportunity Green, Seas at Risk and T&E

Briefing

Is the IMO on track?

T&E's assessment of the impact of the IMO's draft Net-Zero Framework

Press Release

UN shipping agreement a victory for multilateralism but a failure for the climate

Negotiators in London agreed for the first time on a framework that will require ships to switch away from fossil fuels, but the rules as they stand w...