Benchmark dynamics in the environmental performance of ports

Abstract

This paper analyses the 2016 environmental benchmark performance of the port sector, based on a wide representation of EcoPorts members. This is the fifth time that this study has been conducted as an initiative of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The data and results are derived from the Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), a concise checklist against which port managers can self-assess the environmental management of their port in relation to the performance of the EcoPorts membership. The SDM tool was developed in the framework of the ECOPORTS project (2002-2005) and it is managed by ESPO. A total number of 91 ports from 20 different European Maritime States contributed to this evaluation. The main results are that air quality remains as the top environmental priority of the respondent ports, followed by energy consumption and noise. In terms of environmental management, the study confirms that key components are commonly implemented in the majority of European ports. 94% of contributing ports have a designated environmental manager, 92% own an environmental policy and 82% implement an environmental monitoring program. Waste is identified as the most monitored issue in ports (80%), followed by energy consumption (73%) and water quality (70%).

Management Innovation for Environmental Sustainability in Seaports: Managerial Accounting Instruments and Training for Competitive Green Ports beyond the Regulations

“…Finally, thanks to the review conducted, especially by considering studies by Puig and colleagues [11,12], Puig and colleagues [13], Puig et al [14], Segui et al [15], Peris-Mora et al [16] and Denktas-Sakar and Karatas-Cetin [17], we investigate the environmental sustainability phenomenon in the seaports identifying and suggesting managerial accounting instruments and training as useful and effective solutions overcoming the limitations of the current environmental regulations and literature.…”

“…At the same time, in the PORTOPIA Sustainability Report 2017, among the environmental management indicators used for evaluating the environmental aware and sustainable behavior of ports, there was one specific question regarding the "existence of an environmental 'training' for port employees" [13][14][15], that showed the crucial role played by training in this area to address environmental sustainability within ports. Training, specifically "environmental training" has been recognized as effective managerial practice with an important function and resource for responding to the increasing pressures of environmental sustainability of ports [151].…”

Benchmarking environmental efficiency of ports using data mining and RDEA: the case of a U.S. container ports

“…Environmental survey is used for 27 EU inland ports to quantify environmental performance and environmental index and has been computed using various features such as; waste, energy consumption, air quality, and carbon footprint (Seguí et al, 2016). Puig et al, (2017) analyzed the 2016 environmental benchmark performance of the EcoPorts members in European country using Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), that provide key environmental priority for benchmarking and managing environmental performance of air quality, energy consumption, and noise. The above mentioned studies have addressed ecological issues in ports and port management policy with respect to green port development.…”

Experimental Study of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Integrated in a Harbor Breakwater

“…In fact, sea ports are infrastructures that present significant energy demands and are responsible for air pollution (e.g., resulting from cargo handling equipment, from ships at berth using their own engines to produce electricity or heavy truck traffic from the logistics sector) and other environmental problems, as it was concluded in an environmental benchmark performance study of the port sector conducted by the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), covering 91 ports from 20 different EU Maritime States [9]. Since air quality was the top environmental priority, followed by energy consumption, ports are committed to electrifying their motive power wherever it is possible to minimize emissions [10].…”