Greenhouse gas emission

Agency hopes to cut shipping emissions

The Pacific Community said old ships are a big contributer to the region's greenhouse gas emissions.

The new agency, called the Maritime Cooperation Centre, hopes to kick off a transition to low-carbon shipping.

The SPC's Thierry Nervale said it will be part of a global network, and will work to create greater awareness and make greener technology available to companies in the region however it has got its work cut out for it.

Australia criticized over greenhouse-gas reduction target

Lawmakers in Prime Minister Tony Abbott's conservative government on Tuesday agreed on a target of curbing carbon gas emissions to at least 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The target could go as high as 28 percent, Abbott said.