The world witnessed a historic moment on April 11, 2025, as 63 nations came together to approve a legally binding global climate agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved new regulations to cut emissions by 2050, backed by financial penalties and a compliance framework.
The deal, which mandates sector-specific commitments, is not just another pledge but a binding agreement with enforcement mechanisms. Shipowners who fail to meet emissions reduction targets will pay up to $380 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent, feeding into the Net-Zero Fund to support climate justice within the sector.
This milestone marks a proof of concept for global cooperation and governance in the face of increasing resistance from fossil fuel-aligned nations. The IMO’s decision-making process avoids consensus requirements that often plague climate negotiations, instead relying on majority voting.
The agreement comes after significant opposition from countries like Saudi Arabia and the United States, which withdrew from the negotiations due to concerns over sovereignty and competitiveness. However, the deal passed with only 16 opposing votes, and one notable dissenter being North Korea.
According to Maja Groff, international lawyer and convenor of the Climate Governance Commission, resistance is not failure but evidence that change is shifting the system. The IMO’s decision demonstrates that when structured right, global governance can withstand resistance and deliver results.
Meanwhile, in Hamburg, a meeting hosted by The New Institute brought together experts, civil society leaders, academics, and business representatives to redesign global governance for the planetary emergency. The event reflected the same global momentum as the IMO talks, with a readiness to move from pledges to enforceable solutions.
Initiatives like MEGA aim to strengthen existing environmental governance structures and champion new institutional frameworks. The Hamburg meeting showed that global cooperation is still possible even in turbulent times, and that robust international governance mechanisms are needed to meet the scale of the planetary crisis.
As resistance grows, it’s essential to recognize that systems built on power, fear, and control are reacting because their grip is beginning to loosen. Global governance must be designed with legitimacy, accountability, and transparency to drive real change. The recent IMO agreement offers a compelling template for sector-specific commitments, majority voting, and legally binding commitments.
Together, we can build a livable future and a prosperous one for all by embracing enforceable agreements and shared purpose.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/we-dont-have-time/2025/04/12/global-governance-just-won-big—as-the-us-left-the-room