The Marshall Islands Environment minister says the shipping industry's decision to cut carbon emissions is a historical moment for vulnerable island states.
Marshall Islands Minister of Environment David Paul Photo: Office of the President Marshall Islands
More than 170 countries have struck a deal to halve greenhouse gas emissions produced by international shipping by 2050 compared to levels seen ten years ago.
This is the first time the industry has committed to such a target.
The Marshall Islands is home to the world's second biggest ship registry and has been at the forefront of efforts to lobby for emissions reductions at the International Maritime Organisation.
Minister David Paul said the decision is historic.
"I am extremely proud that the Marshall Islands and all of the other vulnerable island countries, or other vulnerable countries of the world," he said.
"They they can feel a lot safer then they were yesterday because of the deal that was done."
David Paul said while there is a lot of work yet to be done, his country would carry a lot of momentum from the decision.
"I think the momentum that we carry from these discussions and these meetings today are going to be far more instrumental and be able to give us as guides as we move forward, as we continue to raise ambition [and] targets to de-carbonise the entire global economy by 2050."
He also paid tribute to the late Marshalls climate campaigner Tony deBrum, saying the industry's decision meant his wish had become a reality.
