Fundamental Principles and Pathways for the Construction of China’s Shipping Carbon Emissions Trading Mechanism

针对日益严重的全球气候问题，《联合国气候变化框架公约》《联合国气候变化框架公约京都议定书》及《巴黎公约》勾勒出了遵守“共同但有区别的责任”原则的全球气候保护公约体系。鉴于航运系温室气体主要排放口之一，授权于《联合国气候变化框架公约》，国际海事组织制定航运碳减排的相关规定，其重心逐渐从技术措施向市场措施倾斜，同时，欧盟宣布自2024年1月起将航运业纳入其碳排放交易体系的规制范围。我国作为航运大国，为实现碳达峰碳中和目标，响应国际海事组织号召，正致力于建设航运碳排放权交易机制，以期向国际航运碳排放权交易机制贡献中国经验，我们应遵守“共同但有区别的责任”的基本原则，借鉴欧盟现有做法和上海试点经验，建设践行全球治理观的航运碳排放权交易机制。In response to the increasingly severe global climate crisis, international agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement have established a global climate protection framework guided by the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” Given that shipping is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), empowered by the UNFCCC, has formulated regulations to reduce carbon emissions in the shipping sector, with a gradual shift in focus from technical measures to market-based mechanisms. Notably, the European Union (EU) has announced the inclusion of shipping within its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) starting in January 2024. As a leading maritime nation, China is committed to building a shipping carbon emissions trading mechanism to achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, and respond to the IMO’s initiatives. In this process, China should adhere to the fundamental principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” draw on existing practices of the European Union and Shanghai’s pilot experience, and develop a shipping carbon emissions trading mechanism that aligns with the principles of global governance to contribute Chinese expertise to the international shipping carbon trading framework.