Greece Blocks EU's COP30 Green Shipping Strategy at Luxembourg Ministerial Meeting

EU Unity Challenged Over Green Shipping Ambitions

During a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on October 21, 2025, Greece declined to sign off on the European Union's formal position paper for the upcoming COP30 climate conference. The blockage centers on the EU's efforts to implement stricter environmental regulations for the shipping industry, specifically a reference within the document to an international net-zero framework that Greece has previously opposed. This move jeopardizes the EU's ability to present a unified front at the global climate summit in Belém, Brazil, scheduled for November 10-21, 2025.

The Contested Net-Zero Framework

The core of the dispute lies with an international shipping net-zero framework deal, initially struck in April 2025. This framework aimed to accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime sector by promoting green hydrogen-derived fuels, such as green ammonia and methanol, over liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the adoption of this framework faced significant hurdles. At a recent meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, the deal was effectively 'frozen' for a year following a proposal for postponement by Saudi Arabia, supported by the United States and Russia. Greece and Cyprus had notably abstained from the initial vote on this framework. Athens argues that including a reference to this now-stalled deal in the EU's COP30 position paper is 'irrelevant' and that the text should be 're-visited'.

Greece's Economic Concerns and National Interest

Greece, a leading global maritime power, views the proposed green shipping regulations with significant apprehension. The nation's substantial shipping industry is a cornerstone of its economy, and concerns about its competitiveness are paramount. Officials in Athens, including Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, have expressed reservations regarding the feasibility and cost implications of the net-zero framework. Critics from Greece's shipping sector, including the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), have highlighted 'unrealistic annual emissions reduction targets' and 'disproportionately high penalties for under-compliant ships' in the absence of readily available alternative fuels. They also argue that the framework unfairly penalizes transitional fuels like LNG. The UGS has advocated for the withdrawal of regional carbon schemes, such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime, once a global framework is established to prevent regulatory duplication and undue financial burdens.

Implications for EU Climate Diplomacy

The Greek government's refusal to endorse the common position has created a diplomatic challenge for the EU. Typically, the 27 member states unanimously agree on a stance for annual climate conferences. Diplomats confirmed the blockage, with one source describing Athens as holding the deal 'hostage'. This internal disagreement underscores a broader tension within the EU between ambitious climate targets and the economic realities faced by key industries. For the EU to effectively advocate for its climate agenda at COP30, a compromise will be necessary to present a united and coherent strategy on global shipping decarbonization.