Page 32 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2014
P. 32
Autumn 2014 European Energy Innovation
PORTS
Blue helps Green:
The Commission’s Green Ports
agenda
By Dimitrios Theologitis and Caroline de Clock
The EU objectives from can usefully supplement it. are indeed part of the EcoPorts
the 2008 Climate network, status awarded to ports
and Energy Package Being a “green port” means within the European Sea Ports
reaffirmed in the 2011 acting “green” on two aspects: Organisation (ESPO) membership
Transport White Paper towards port operations and ships in that share the performance of
a competitive and resource the port. The Commission has their environmental management
efficient transport system and contributed to the development programme. ESPO also produced
the Roadmap for moving to a of both. Besides already adopted a “Green guide” providing
low-carbon economy in 2050 still legislation, the Commission has guidelines towards excellence in
resonate today. supported the drive to improve port environmental management
the sustainability of Europe’s ports and sustainability. Acknowledging
The reduction of at least 60% of with measures taken to deploy the merits of such initiatives,
the greenhouse gases (GHGs) alternative fuel infrastructure. the Commission has recently
emissions from the transport The directive approved in launched a call for tender for
sector by 2050 with respect April 2014 promotes, through a study aiming at developing
to 1990 and the goal of a cut Member States’ national policy, guidance on environmentally
by 40% of EU CO2 emissions the development of alternative differentiated port infrastructure
from maritime transport by fuels in the transport sector charging in order that these
2050 compared to 2005 levels and corresponding facilities, practices benefit the largest
should then be a major driver with the development of LNG number of ports. The ultimate
for actions in the maritime refuelling points in core ports goal is eventually to contribute
and the port sectors. The by 2025, but also of shore-side and accelerate the greening of
strategy outlined in the 2013 electricity supply. It is a first step the shipping industry. It will give
Commission’s Communication helping the industry to meet increased certainty to the ship-
“Ports: An engine for growth”1 legal requirements regarding the building and shipping community
makes a contribution towards sulphur content of marine fuels in that needs some additional
this end: one of its action aims Sulphur Emission Control areas technical details to better target
at increasing the sustainability (SECAs) as of 1 January 2015 and its investments.
and green profile of ports. Other outside SECAs as of 1 January
actions such as the development 2020. The call for proposals under the
of a better connection of ports Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
to their hinterland (for example Beyond legal obligations, ports published on 11 September takes
through multimodal platforms) also develop on a voluntary basis also into account this “greening”
and the setting up of a necessary their own tools to limit damage to priority. Indeed through
framework to attract investment the environment. Some EU ports this funding instrument, the
Commission will provide financial
1. http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/ports/ports_en.htm incentives to ports implementing
good environmental practices.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
PORTS
Blue helps Green:
The Commission’s Green Ports
agenda
By Dimitrios Theologitis and Caroline de Clock
The EU objectives from can usefully supplement it. are indeed part of the EcoPorts
the 2008 Climate network, status awarded to ports
and Energy Package Being a “green port” means within the European Sea Ports
reaffirmed in the 2011 acting “green” on two aspects: Organisation (ESPO) membership
Transport White Paper towards port operations and ships in that share the performance of
a competitive and resource the port. The Commission has their environmental management
efficient transport system and contributed to the development programme. ESPO also produced
the Roadmap for moving to a of both. Besides already adopted a “Green guide” providing
low-carbon economy in 2050 still legislation, the Commission has guidelines towards excellence in
resonate today. supported the drive to improve port environmental management
the sustainability of Europe’s ports and sustainability. Acknowledging
The reduction of at least 60% of with measures taken to deploy the merits of such initiatives,
the greenhouse gases (GHGs) alternative fuel infrastructure. the Commission has recently
emissions from the transport The directive approved in launched a call for tender for
sector by 2050 with respect April 2014 promotes, through a study aiming at developing
to 1990 and the goal of a cut Member States’ national policy, guidance on environmentally
by 40% of EU CO2 emissions the development of alternative differentiated port infrastructure
from maritime transport by fuels in the transport sector charging in order that these
2050 compared to 2005 levels and corresponding facilities, practices benefit the largest
should then be a major driver with the development of LNG number of ports. The ultimate
for actions in the maritime refuelling points in core ports goal is eventually to contribute
and the port sectors. The by 2025, but also of shore-side and accelerate the greening of
strategy outlined in the 2013 electricity supply. It is a first step the shipping industry. It will give
Commission’s Communication helping the industry to meet increased certainty to the ship-
“Ports: An engine for growth”1 legal requirements regarding the building and shipping community
makes a contribution towards sulphur content of marine fuels in that needs some additional
this end: one of its action aims Sulphur Emission Control areas technical details to better target
at increasing the sustainability (SECAs) as of 1 January 2015 and its investments.
and green profile of ports. Other outside SECAs as of 1 January
actions such as the development 2020. The call for proposals under the
of a better connection of ports Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
to their hinterland (for example Beyond legal obligations, ports published on 11 September takes
through multimodal platforms) also develop on a voluntary basis also into account this “greening”
and the setting up of a necessary their own tools to limit damage to priority. Indeed through
framework to attract investment the environment. Some EU ports this funding instrument, the
Commission will provide financial
1. http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/ports/ports_en.htm incentives to ports implementing
good environmental practices.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
