Connect with us

News

Global shipping emissions deal falters under US pressure

President Trump stepped into the negotiations, characterizing the agreement as a “green scam”.

A proposed global agreement to reduce shipping emissions has been put on hold after Saudi Arabia and the US successfully lobbied to end discussions.

A large cargo ship staked with pink, blue and white container ships sails from right to left through the picture, a small trail of white foam in the picture.
Shipping accounts for 3% of global emissions but is set to grow

Over 100 countries had convened in London to finalize a deal initially agreed upon in April, which would have made the shipping industry the first to adopt globally mandated emission reduction targets.

However, US President Donald Trump had expressed opposition to the plan, labeling it a "green scam," and his administration had warned countries of potential tariffs if they supported the agreement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the outcome as a significant victory for the Trump administration.

International Maritime Organisation Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez appealed to countries not to repeat the events that led to the talks' adjournment, highlighting the pressure nations faced.

In a surprise move on Friday, Saudi Arabia submitted a motion to postpone the talks for a year, effectively preventing the agreement's approval due to the need for revised timelines.

The chairman clarified that the motion's passage would mean the agreement would not be approved, as key deadlines for the treaty would require revision.

The motion was approved by a narrow margin, with only a few votes separating the outcome.

Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's Minister for Climate Change, condemned Saudi Arabia's motion as "unacceptable" given the urgent need for climate action.

Regenvanu stated that his country had reluctantly supported the International Maritime Organisation's Net-Zero Framework, acknowledging its limitations but recognizing it as a significant step forward.

The shipping industry had largely supported the agreement, citing the need for consistent global standards.

Thomas Kazakos, secretary-general of the International Chamber of Shipping, expressed disappointment that member states could not reach a consensus, emphasizing the need for clarity to facilitate investment.

Kazakos added that the industry requires clear guidelines to make necessary investments.

The UK and most EU nations voted to continue the talks, while some countries, including Greece, deviated from the EU bloc and abstained.

Countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the US, which had raised concerns about potential price increases for consumers, supported the motion to adjourn the talks.

China, which had initially backed the deal in April, agreed to delay the proceedings, along with other key countries.

Island nations like the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, which had initially supported the deal, changed their position or abstained, reportedly due to pressure from the US.

The agreement, a decade in the making, was historic in that it would have made shipping the first industry with internationally mandated emission reduction targets.

The deal would have required ship owners to use cleaner fuels or face fines starting in 2028.

Shipping currently accounts for 3% of global emissions, with levels rising in tandem with global trade growth, as 90% of goods are transported by sea, and the industry has struggled to reduce emissions due to a lack of cost incentives.

According to Faig Abbasov, programme director for maritime transport at Transport and Environment, the high cost of alternative fuels is a significant obstacle, as there is no cheaper alternative to diesel, which is currently used by ships.

Without intervention, the International Maritime Organisation has estimated that emissions could increase by 10% to 150% by 2050.

The London meeting was intended to finalize the agreement and outline the next steps, but the US had grown increasingly vocal in its opposition since April, citing concerns about potential price increases for American consumers.

On Thursday, President Trump posted on Truth Social, stating that the US would not support the "Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping" and would not tolerate increased prices for American consumers.

The delay in talks has cast doubt on the feasibility of implementing the regulations by 2028.

Blánaid Sheeran, a policy officer at Opportunity Green, noted that a delay in action may necessitate changes to the agreement, potentially undermining the planned timeline and undoing years of work.

News

UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

Continue Reading

News

Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.

As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.

Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.

Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.

Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.

According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.

Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.

Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.

An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?

Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.

As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.

Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.

He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.

Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.

Do you have any questions about Manchester City that you would like answered?

Continue Reading

News

GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.

For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.

Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.

Continue Reading

Trending