Shipping regulators have come up with a carefully worded package on carbon reduction aimed at pleasing all sides of the political debate on greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

After three days of negotiation, a working group at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which faces a Friday deadline to agree on a long-term carbon reduction programme, has tabled a tentative proposal that the shipping industry should aim to reduce carbon emissions by “at least” 50% on 2008 levels by 2050.