New Global Rules to Force Cruise Ships to Pay for Carbon Emissions

The shipping industry just became the first to adopt a global system that charges companies for emissions — a landmark moment for climate accountability. If cruise ships can pay for their pollution, which industry is next?

Cruise ship companies will have to pay for the carbon dioxide produced by their vessels under new global rules agreed to on Friday.

The deal, led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), covers 97% of the world’s shipping fleet. It will require shipowners to pay up to $380 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted unless they take steps to cut emissions.

The rules will get stricter over time. By 2035, ships will need to cut emissions by 43%. If they go over the limits, they’ll have to pay fees for the extra pollution.

The IMO is a United Nations agency that sets shipping rules for navigation, vessel standards, and safety. It confirmed that the new rules will apply to all vessels over 5,000 tonnes, including cruise and passenger ships, making shipping the first industry to agree on fines for emissions.

Participating UN Countries will need to adopt the agreement into their own national laws by 2028.

The United States withdrew from the decarbonization talks before the agreement took place, according