The IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project has published a new guide on the development of National Action Plans (NAPs) to address GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions from ships. The guide responds to IMO’s resolution MEPC.327(75) on “Encouragement of Member States to develop and submit voluntary national action plans to address GHG emissions from ships” and builds upon the Ship Emissions Toolkit developed under the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project (GloMEEP).  

“Our new guide provides information on the crucial planning, development and implementation phases involved in the creation of a NAP. It is a practical step-by-step tool which contains a catalogue of key questions that policymakers could consider in the process of developing an ambitious NAP for their country” says Minglee Hoe, GreenVoyage2050 project technical analyst.  

The guide also includes additional recommendations for the development of NAPs for small island developing States (SIDS) that face specific challenges in transport and trade logistics. For those States, the guide suggests NAPs to include a portfolio of measures that can contribute to reduce transport costs, improve transport infrastructure and services, build climate preparedness and resilience, and promote affordable and low-carbon maritime transport systems that are energy efficient and less fossil fuel dependent. 

As a next step, GreenVoyage2050 will host a series of training events and workshops to support seven New Pilot Countries (NPCs) through the process of NAP development. This training will utilize lessons learned and provide feedback from countries that have already gone through the process of developing and adopting NAPs, including those countries that have previously participated in GloMEEP.  

The NPCs are Azerbaijan, Belize, Cook Islands, Ecuador, Kenya, Solomon Islands, and Sri Lanka. 

The new National Action Plan guidance can be accessed through a dedicated webpage, or via publication download. View already submitted NAPs here. 

GreenVoyage2050, which is funded by the Government of Norway, assists developing countries in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions from ships. The project is expected to run until December 2023.