The goal is to provide reliable and up-to-date information on, which the IMO can use through its Marine Environment Protection Committee to reduce greenhouse gases.

The Second IMO GHG Study 2009 estimated that international shipping emitted 870 million tonnes, or about 2.7 percent of the global man-made emissions of CO2 in 2007. An updated GHG inventory is considered necessary as the current estimate contained in the second study does not take account of the economic downturn experienced globally since 2008.

Exhaust gases are the primary source of GHG emissions from ships, with carbon dioxide the most important GHG, both in terms of quantity and of global warming potential. An updated inventory would also provide a baseline to enable the impact to be assessed of technical and operational energy efficiency measures for international shipping that entered into force on 1 January 2013.

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