The principle of sustainability should condition a project in which artificial reefs are being installed to protect biodiversity as well as enhance costal ecosystems. In particular, this principle should be taken into account in the logistical processes related to manufacture and transport. This study assesses the global warming potential (GWP) and cumulative energy demand (CED) of developing a coastal ecosystem enhancement programme in the estuary region of Galicia, north-western Spain. The focus is on the processes involved in creating green artificial reefs (GARs): manufacture, transport and installation. The starting point is the supply chain for the green artificial reef (GAR) units; greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy needs for each phase are analysed. Various scenarios are considered to determine which options are indeed available when it comes to establishing the supply chain. Different types of energy supplies, different options for the location of production centres, as well as different means of transport were studied. Results reveal the critical phases for selecting how the GAR units must be produced, transported by road and sea and then installed in their permanent location.

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Green Artificial Reefs (GARs) are marine structures to exploit sea resources in a sustainable way (produce food resources, improve the tourism, etc.). They should be installed on the seabed, process that is not usually easy. Therefore, their installation process should be clearly defined. The aim of this paper is to propose several methods for installing a group of green artificial reefs designed in the PROARR research project. Two of these methodologies are conventional: a bulkcarrier and a special service workboat. The other technique is innovative: an autonomous vehicle. All of them offer different results in terms of maneuverability, positioning, precision and cost. This study will compare these four methods of installing green artificial reefs to improve the knowledge about this type of sustainable way of exploiting the marine resources.

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