The Clean Arctic Alliance welcomes the submission of a proposal (PPR 13-6) to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that aims to establish a fuel measure under MARPOL Annex VI that would reduce the impact of black carbon emissions from international shipping on the Arctic.

The proposal to establish an Arctic fuel measure has been submitted by four IMO member states to a meeting of the IMO’s Pollution Prevention and Response committee (PPR 13), which will take place in February 2026. Regulation of fuels suitable for use in the Arctic means moving to cleaner marine fuels which emit less black carbon, and thus contribute less to Arctic warming. The geographical area to which a proposal would be relevant remains to be determined.

Dr Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance said:
“The Clean Arctic Alliance welcomes the proposal for an Arctic fuel measure which, if agreed upon during February’s IMO meeting, will have positive benefits for both the Arctic and the global climate, as well as provide positive health benefits for Arctic communities. It is important that other Arctic and climate-vulnerable states step up to support the proposal during the discussions at PPR 13 – action to reduce emissions of super-pollutant black carbon is essential for remaining in line with the Paris climate targets and will be an important first step towards reducing international shipping’s climate impact.”