US lawmakers have proposed a law to develop a European Union-style emissions reporting scheme for shipping aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Representative Raul Grijalva, who chairs House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee chairman, unveiled the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act in Washington.

The bill also has backing of Democrats in control of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis.

The legislation comes as talks on global climate change measures at the International Maritime Organization have continued to attract criticism for the slow pace of progress.