Procedural Improvements to the Comprehensive Impact Assessment of IMO GHG Reduction Measures

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) may adopt actions after completing impact assessments and reviewing results in accordance with the original strategy and impact assessment procedure (MEPC.1/Circ.885). The assessment of the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures is an important step in de-termining whether to implement GHG regulations. This study identifies and proposes improvements in the impact assessment procedure for future mid-and long-term measures. Improvements for future measures should start with a review of “the procedure for assessing impacts on states of candidate measures” and “the actual process of the comprehensive impact assessment for short-term measures in 2021.” The procedural improvements were largely derived from the order and period of task per-formance, the clear definition of terms, and the review of task results through lessons learned, analysis, and expert workshops. The impact assessment of future mid-and long-term measures should be procedurally improved to ensure uniformity and con-sistency, which will provide objective results for Member States and industries to help smooth the adoption of measures.