by Linda Straker
- Grenada’s position on International Maritime Organisation Net Zero Framework unknown
- Voting will take place in London during meetings held 14–17 October
- Countries backing IMO decarbonisation plan could face port bans, visa restrictions on seafarers, punitive vessel fees, and sanctions on government officials
The government is yet to disclose how the country will vote or its position on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF), which is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, in line with its GHG Strategy. Voting will take place in London during meetings held 14–17 October.
As a small island state, Grenada stands to be affected by some of the negative impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise due to melting ice, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss. An approval for the framework could result in Grenada facing sanctions from the US Government, which is one of the countries objecting to the framework.
On 10 October 2025, the Donald Trump administration, in a joint statement of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, said countries backing the IMO’s decarbonisation plan could face port bans, visa restrictions on seafarers, punitive vessel fees, and even sanctions on government officials deemed to be “sponsoring activist-driven climate policies.”
“The administration unequivocally rejects this proposal before the IMO and will not tolerate any action that increases costs for our citizens, energy providers, shipping companies and their customers,” the statement said. Trump officials branded the IMO’s NZF as a “European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations” and warned that, if adopted, it would effectively create “the first global carbon tax.”
While the IMO’s draft framework has broad backing from European nations, Pacific island states and major liner groups, the US move could still sideswipe this week’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) vote in London. The EU views the Net-zero Framework as a significant milestone and calls for its adoption.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) addresses environmental issues under the IMO’s remit. This includes the control and prevention of ship-source pollution covered by the MARPOL treaty, including oil, chemicals carried in bulk, sewage, garbage and emissions from ships, including air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Other matters covered include ballast water management, anti-fouling systems, ship recycling, pollution preparedness and response, and identification of special areas and particularly sensitive sea areas.
