The International Maritime Organization inked new greenhouse gas targets this week that may have been more ambitious than its current goals but failed to meet the historic challenge of aligning shipping with the goals of the Paris Agreement to keep global temperature rises from exceeding 1.5C.

Shipowners say they will meet the targets by employing all means possible but environmental groups have been less enthusiastic about the deal, complaining that it is a qualifier-laden agreement set for “around 2050” to the extent that national circumstances allow.