2050. The production and use of energy across economic sectors account for more
than 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, energy efficiency
must be prioritised. A power sector must be developed that is based largely on
renewable sources, complemented by the rapid phasing out of coal and
decarbonising gas. At the same time, the EU’s energy supply needs to be secure
and affordable for consumers and businesses. Hence, the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive as well as the Emissions Trading Directive
will be revised accordingly. Most importantly the circular economy, including new
waste and recycling laws, is erected as ‘utmost priority’ of the European Green Deal
in the EU’s effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Greening ‘the port’ means more than greening the transport side. All industry
players in the port should have their agendas, goals and plans, and the port managing
body must support the industries in the port in their pathways to a more sustainable
future. This requires support for large investments in the provision of clean energy,
connectivity of energy infrastructure networks and green grids, as well as support for
innovative technological projects in and between ports. In addition, ports can also
attract new investments in clean energy and technology and become centres of
excellence and innovation, instead of being just energy ‘takers’. Thanks to the
presence of industry and the proximity to large urban agglomeration they also
constitute an ideal location to develop circular economy projects.
11.7 The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)
11.7.1 The Green Guide
Published back in 2012 by ESPO, the ‘Green Guide’ (ESPO 2012) towards excellence in port environmental management and sustainability defines the sector’s
vision on environmental governance and establishes a structured approach that
European ports subscribe to while tackling their environmental liabilities.
European ports commit to work towards continuously improving their environmental performance through focused action under five principles: exemplify, enable,
encourage, engage and enforce. Overall, the ESPO Green Guide favours a bottom-up
approach, in which port authorities are proactively taking responsibility and living
up to the expectations of the community. It encourages ports to be responsible for
their own initiatives, to benchmark their performance and to deliver science-based
evidence of achievements. The ESPO Green Guide specifically addresses five major
environmental issues, namely, air quality, energy and climate, noise, waste management and water quality. The guide is the outcome of the common work of port
environmental professionals around Europe under the umbrella of the sustainability
committee of ESPO and is accompanied by a best practice database that promotes
existing port projects. It defines a common vision of the port sector on environmental
sustainability, promotes the efforts of European port authorities in the field of
environmental management and demonstrates evidence of the progress achieved
by the sector over time. The guide provides guidance to ports in establishing and
11 New Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Ports: The Deep Demonstration. . . 183
than 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, energy efficiency
must be prioritised. A power sector must be developed that is based largely on
renewable sources, complemented by the rapid phasing out of coal and
decarbonising gas. At the same time, the EU’s energy supply needs to be secure
and affordable for consumers and businesses. Hence, the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive as well as the Emissions Trading Directive
will be revised accordingly. Most importantly the circular economy, including new
waste and recycling laws, is erected as ‘utmost priority’ of the European Green Deal
in the EU’s effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Greening ‘the port’ means more than greening the transport side. All industry
players in the port should have their agendas, goals and plans, and the port managing
body must support the industries in the port in their pathways to a more sustainable
future. This requires support for large investments in the provision of clean energy,
connectivity of energy infrastructure networks and green grids, as well as support for
innovative technological projects in and between ports. In addition, ports can also
attract new investments in clean energy and technology and become centres of
excellence and innovation, instead of being just energy ‘takers’. Thanks to the
presence of industry and the proximity to large urban agglomeration they also
constitute an ideal location to develop circular economy projects.
11.7 The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)
11.7.1 The Green Guide
Published back in 2012 by ESPO, the ‘Green Guide’ (ESPO 2012) towards excellence in port environmental management and sustainability defines the sector’s
vision on environmental governance and establishes a structured approach that
European ports subscribe to while tackling their environmental liabilities.
European ports commit to work towards continuously improving their environmental performance through focused action under five principles: exemplify, enable,
encourage, engage and enforce. Overall, the ESPO Green Guide favours a bottom-up
approach, in which port authorities are proactively taking responsibility and living
up to the expectations of the community. It encourages ports to be responsible for
their own initiatives, to benchmark their performance and to deliver science-based
evidence of achievements. The ESPO Green Guide specifically addresses five major
environmental issues, namely, air quality, energy and climate, noise, waste management and water quality. The guide is the outcome of the common work of port
environmental professionals around Europe under the umbrella of the sustainability
committee of ESPO and is accompanied by a best practice database that promotes
existing port projects. It defines a common vision of the port sector on environmental
sustainability, promotes the efforts of European port authorities in the field of
environmental management and demonstrates evidence of the progress achieved
by the sector over time. The guide provides guidance to ports in establishing and
11 New Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Ports: The Deep Demonstration. . . 183