Port environmental management insights 2020

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research conducted in collaboration with 97 ESPO EcoPorts members that completed the Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), most of them members of the EU TEN-T network. SDM is a concise checklist against which ports can self-assess their environmental management performance, and it is also a precursor to the International Quality Standard of Environmental Management System, EcoPorts PERS (http://www.ecoports.com) – the only standard dedicated to the port sector. Participating ports can compare their results with the benchmark performance of the EU port sector as a whole. The system is anonymous. SDM is managed by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). A set of 60 environmental management performance indicators were selected from those present in the SDM (around 300). These key environmental indicators were categorized as follows: i) Environmental Management - summarized in an Environmental Management Index; ii) Environmental Monitoring; iii) Top 10 Environmental Priorities, and iv) Services to Shipping offered by the port authority in order to facilitate greener shipping. Responses were analyzed and the results are discussed in this paper. 2020 results were compared with data from previous years, allowing the analysis of trends over time. Despite Covid-19, results over the years show trends of continuous improvement in port environmental management performance in terms of the provisions necessary to deliver compliance and sustainability of port operations.