The 6PAC+ alliance of Pacific Island and Caribbean nations have called upon the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enact a mandatory universal carbon levy of $150 per ton of CO2 emitted by large commercial vessels over 5,000 gross tonnes.
At the 82nd session of the IMO’s Marine Environmental Committee (MEPC82), the 6PAC+ delegation has maintained their position that a universal carbon levy is required to achieve an equitable energy transition.
The alliance is comprised of Pacific and Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including: Belize, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Crucial to the 6PAC+ alliance’s contention is a just and equitable energy transition, as well as advancing international decarbonisation efforts. Their proposals are focused on developing a pathway for the most at-risk nations to receive the necessary resources to mitigate the impacts of climate changes.
The 6PAC+ delegation’s submissions to the IMO are as follows:
- Submission 1: Specifying the economic measure: the introduction of a universal carbon levy starting at £150 per tonne of CO2 emitted.
- Submission 2: A just and equitable disbursement framework for revenues generated by the carbon levy.
- Submission 3: Assessment of the evidence in support of a unverisal levy / GFS (Global fuel Standard) mid-term measures combination.
- Submission 4: Potential impact of IMO mi-term measures country case stuies for six Pacific SIDS (Kiribatu, Marshall Islands, Bauru, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
At MEPC82, ministerial representatives of the 6PAC+ delegation advocated for the urgency of the adoption of the above proposals:
The Marshall Islands’ Minister of Transportation, Communication and Information Technology, Hilton Kendall, said: “The Oceans are our lifeline, and it is our duty to protect them. A universal emissions levy will ensure that the polluters pay their fair share, while providing much-needed resources for those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Our islands depend on this for survival.”
The Tuvalu Minister for Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation, Simon Kofe, said: “This is not just about reducing emissions. It is about securing the futures of entire nations that have contributed the least to global warming but face the brunt of its impacts. A just transition means ensuring that no one is left behind as we move toward a zero-carbon maritime sector.”
Vanuatu Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment, Ralph Regenvanu, said: “For us, this is not an abstract concept: it is life or death. We stand with our Pacific neighbours and the 6PAC+ coalition in demanding concrete solutions including a global levy that ensures emissions reductions and financial flows to those most affected.”
Solomon Islands’ Minister for Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga, said: “The time for half-measures is over. We need an ambitious and universal levy to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on our economies and livelihoods. It is a matter of justice and fairness.”
Source: 6PAC+ alliance