reductions target for 2030 to at least 50% compared with 1990 levels, creating the
most ambitious package of measures, accompanied by an initial roadmap of key
policies in cutting-edge research and innovation, in green technologies and sustainable solutions. Among them, Deep Demonstrations by EIT Climate-KIC using
systems innovation approach aim at the decarbonisation of the European ports and
the sustainable transformation of their key elements.
Keywords Sustainable ports · European Green Deal · Maritime transport · Ports
regulation · Deep Demonstration · Environmental policy
11.1 Introduction
Sea ports are major hubs of economic activity which may also involve severe
environmental pollution in coastal urban areas. The port industry along with the
shipping industry constitutes a key node in the international supply chain taking into
consideration that over 80% of volume (70% of value) of world’s merchandise trade
is carried by sea (port to port). Due to increasing global trade, transport of goods
through ports has been steadily increasing and will likely continue to increase in the
future. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is projecting an
annual average growth rate of 3.4% for the Maritime Trade period 2019–2024
(UNCTAD 2019).
Ports and shipping are intrinsically linked – as such, efforts to reduce maritime
emissions need to extend beyond seagoing ships alone. IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI
(2010) regulations on air pollution and energy efficiency are aimed at ships; however, it is clear that in order for port emissions to be reduced, emissions from all portrelated emission sources need to be addressed.
Environmental challenges relating to ports are twofold, namely, the effects of
maritime transport on the environment (e.g. pollution, CO 2 emissions) and conversely the environmental impact on maritime transport (e.g. climatic variability and
change, (CV&C)) (Asariotis et al. 2018). In this regard, it is important to address the
global challenges effectively, in the light of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 UN
Sustainable Development Agenda. Reducing the sources of GH emissions and of
marine pollution emanating from the port industry is of growing importance and
source of anxiety for port authorities, policy makers, port users and the local
communities (Acciaro et al. 2014).
11.2 Ports Needs Towards Environmental Sustainability
This analysis focuses only on the environmental dimension of port sustainability
although the port sustainability literature engages in the social and the economic
aspect as well (Özispa and Arabelen, 2018). As environmental concerns over
managing seaports are gaining utmost importance, evaluating the greenness of the
174
V. Alexandropoulou et al.
most ambitious package of measures, accompanied by an initial roadmap of key
policies in cutting-edge research and innovation, in green technologies and sustainable solutions. Among them, Deep Demonstrations by EIT Climate-KIC using
systems innovation approach aim at the decarbonisation of the European ports and
the sustainable transformation of their key elements.
Keywords Sustainable ports · European Green Deal · Maritime transport · Ports
regulation · Deep Demonstration · Environmental policy
11.1 Introduction
Sea ports are major hubs of economic activity which may also involve severe
environmental pollution in coastal urban areas. The port industry along with the
shipping industry constitutes a key node in the international supply chain taking into
consideration that over 80% of volume (70% of value) of world’s merchandise trade
is carried by sea (port to port). Due to increasing global trade, transport of goods
through ports has been steadily increasing and will likely continue to increase in the
future. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is projecting an
annual average growth rate of 3.4% for the Maritime Trade period 2019–2024
(UNCTAD 2019).
Ports and shipping are intrinsically linked – as such, efforts to reduce maritime
emissions need to extend beyond seagoing ships alone. IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI
(2010) regulations on air pollution and energy efficiency are aimed at ships; however, it is clear that in order for port emissions to be reduced, emissions from all portrelated emission sources need to be addressed.
Environmental challenges relating to ports are twofold, namely, the effects of
maritime transport on the environment (e.g. pollution, CO 2 emissions) and conversely the environmental impact on maritime transport (e.g. climatic variability and
change, (CV&C)) (Asariotis et al. 2018). In this regard, it is important to address the
global challenges effectively, in the light of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 UN
Sustainable Development Agenda. Reducing the sources of GH emissions and of
marine pollution emanating from the port industry is of growing importance and
source of anxiety for port authorities, policy makers, port users and the local
communities (Acciaro et al. 2014).
11.2 Ports Needs Towards Environmental Sustainability
This analysis focuses only on the environmental dimension of port sustainability
although the port sustainability literature engages in the social and the economic
aspect as well (Özispa and Arabelen, 2018). As environmental concerns over
managing seaports are gaining utmost importance, evaluating the greenness of the
174
V. Alexandropoulou et al.