(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) of the International Maritime Organization marked another incremental but strategically important step in the decarbonization and environmental governance of global shipping. Convened amid increasing regulatory pressure and industry uncertainty, MEPC 84 focused on translating long-term climate ambitions into enforceable, mid-term measures—while also advancing parallel environmental priorities. Advancing Mid-Term GHG Reduction Measures At the core of the discussions was the continued development of the IMO’s mid-term greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction framework. Building on the revised 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, Member States worked toward refining a combination of technical and economic measures. These include a proposed global fuel standard—often referred to as a GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) mechanism—and a market-based measure (MBM), likely in the form of a carbon pricing system. While consensus remains politically sensitive, MEPC 84 made tangible progress in narrowing down design options, particularly on how revenues from carbon pricing could be redistributed to support developing states and incentivize zero- and near-zero emission fuels. Lifecycle Assessment: A Critical Technical Pillar A key technical challenge remains lifecycle assessment (LCA) of marine fuels. MEPC 84 continued advancing guidelines to ensure that emissions accounting covers well-to-wake impacts rather than just tank-to-wake emissions. This is critical to avoid unintended consequences, such as shifting emissions upstream in fuel production chains. The work on LCA is expected to directly influence future compliance frameworks under both the GFI standard and broader decarbonization targets. Review of Existing Measures: EEXI and CII In parallel, the Committee reviewed the effectiveness of short-term measures already in force, notably the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indi