"LONDON -- The United Nations (UN) shipping agency on Friday agreed to voluntary proposals aimed at cutting carbon emissions, delegates said.

But environmental groups said it fell short of what was needed.

Shipping and aviation are the only industry sectors not regulated under the Kyoto Protocol, which sets targets for greenhouse gas emissions by rich countries from 2008-12.

Shipping accounts for nearly three percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and pressure has grown for cuts ahead of a crucial climate change summit in Copenhagen in December.

Delegates from around 90 countries approved non-compulsory technical and operational measures to reduce greenhouse emissions from ships.

These included an energy efficiency design index for new ships to ensure new vessel designs are environmentally friendly as well as an index for existing vessels."

Jonathan Saul reports for Reuters July 19, 2009. [2]