IAPH and C40 Cities provided a platform for port cities to present their ambitious maritime climate action plans to IMO member state delegates during MEPC 84 at IMO HQ in London this week
Cities and ports are accelerating the shift to clean energy and shipping fuels, fostering inclusive dialogue with workers and local communities to generate green jobs – that was the message delivered at the IMO HQ by representatives from London, Oslo, and Los Angeles during a post-MEPC reception organised by IAPH and C40 Cities.
Titled ‘Port cities driving a just and equitable maritime decarbonisation’, the 28 April reception saw speeches by Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy; Anita Leirvik North, Vice Mayor of Oslo for Urban Development; Heidi Leander Neilson, Port Planning Director at Oslo Havn; and Erick Martell, Senior Director of Economic Infrastructure, Ports, City of Los Angeles.
Closing remarks were made by Siân Foster, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Port of London Authority (PLA). The event was hosted by Alisa Kreynes, Director, Ports and Shipping, C40 Cities and Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director at International Association of Ports and Harbors
The port city representatives expounded on a wide range of city and port measures, from leveraging multilevel and cross-value chain partnerships to electrifying port operations, investing in clean fuel infrastructure, and promoting workforce development programmes.
Siân took the opportunity to highlight the importance of the PLA to UK trade and its critical work in safeguarding the Thames; she also encouraged delegates to attend the 2026 IAPH World Ports Conference (held at Olympia, London – November 3-6) for which PLA is the headline sponsor.
The reception took place the second day of the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) which was meeting for its 84th session at IMO Headquarters in London, 27 April-1 May. Following the adjournment of a decision on the IMO Net Zero Framework at an extraordinary meeting of MEPC in October, member states are determining how the global shipping industry will proceed with tackling greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution.
Managing Director at International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Patrick Verhoeven said, “Sustainability and maritime decarbonisation are of critical interest to port cities and communities. For IAPH member ports located in or close to cities and urban areas – or owned by cities – licence to operate and to grow relies to a large extent on the support and buy-in of local communities. IAPH has worked consistently on fostering port-city relations through the Community Building theme of the World Ports Sustainability Program and we will continue to promote this work. In C40 Cities we see a global network of mayors driving climate action – this event showed that such ambitions can align with the regulatory goals of the IMO. ”
Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy Mete Coban MBE said, “As the home-city to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters, London is pleased to join local leaders at the IMO to shine a spotlight on climate leadership. Cities are at the frontline of the climate crisis and it’s essential we work together to tackle it. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through shipping is crucial and something we must prioritise as we continue building a greener, better London for everyone.”
Vice Mayor of Oslo for Urban Development Anita Leirvik North said, “Oslo’s climate strategy aligns the municipality and port’s climate objectives. This joint collaboration has led to the zero-emissions port plan, which is scaling shore power and electrifying cargo-handling equipment and land transport. The city’s leading climate budget is also translating climate targets into measurable outcomes. This is creating green jobs and building a more resilient city for everyone.”
C40’s Director of Ports and Shipping Alisa Kreynes said, “Port cities are not only tackling the climate crisis, they are also serving as major nodes of global trade. Today, London, Oslo, and Los Angeles bring a new and vital dimension to the IMO’s work – illustrating how climate solutions can jointly protect local communities, cut emissions, and enhance supply chains. Implementation guidelines at the IMO must now follow this same ambition.”
About IAPH
Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has developed into a global alliance of 206 port authorities as well as 177 port-related businesses. Comprised of over 94 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle over one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonisation and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalisation in the maritime transport chain. The IAPH’s World Ports Sustainability Program has grown into the reference database of best practices of ports applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrating them into their businesses - iaphworldports.org.
ABOUT C40 CITIES
C40 Cities is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere, can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to limit global heating in line with the Paris Agreement and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. We work alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to support mayors to halve emissions by 2030 and help phase out fossil use while increasing urban climate resilience and equity.