Countries push for CO2 shipping levy as crunch talks loom

Maritime nations including Denmark and the Marshall Islands are rallying support for a global carbon dioxide emissions levy on shipping, with talks at a critical stage ahead of a UN agency meeting next month that could back the measure.

The levy could provide funds to help countries cope with climate change and help curb emissions from shipping - a sector that transports about 90% of world trade and accounts for nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions, but whose international nature means it often avoids national CO2-cutting regulations.

Member countries of the UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), may agree to work on a CO2 levy at a July 3-7 meeting.

Various proposals have been submitted, from European Union countries, the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and others.

If countries agree next month to move ahead with the tax,...