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Its authors are: and both associate professors in the School for Resource and Environmental Studies.
, moving over . Almost all consumer products we buy 鈥� or the raw materials required to make them 鈥� arrive at Canadian ports via ship.
Each year, Canadian port facilities handle about 340 million tonnes of goods, worth about $400 billion. Roughly , by value, are transported by marine shipping.
Despite their economic importance, ports have adverse effects on the environment, including local air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution, traffic congestion and .
Society increasingly expects Canadian ports to balance economic growth with social and environmental impacts 鈥� and some Canadian ports are already integrating elements of sustainability into their operations. But others could do more.
Environmental impacts of ports and shipping
Marine shipping is responsible for . These are predicted to increase to 17 per cent by 2050 if left unchecked. Given these projections, it becomes increasingly important to mitigate in the face of climate change.
Port activities, such as berthing (mooring), can have environmental impacts including oil spills, local air, noise and light pollution. And also releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, black carbon and other environmentally harmful greenhouse gases and particulates.
Ship traffic produces . Ships , such as . Ships may also release containing aquatic invasive species as they move from one port to another.
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Improving environmental performance
The North American marine industry can participate in voluntary environmental certification programs such as the to measure and improve environmental performance. addresses key environmental issues, such as reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, through 14 performance indicators. Participants can be shipowners, ports, terminals, seaway corporations and shipyards.
Shore power and alternative fuels have recently gained popularity among global ports because of .
Shore power allows ships to shut off their diesel-powered engines when berthed and connect to the electricity grid to reduce local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Ports that provide liquified natural gas (LNG) for ship refuelling can also help reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Cargo and cruise ships need to refuel or 鈥渂unker,鈥� as it is referred to in the marine industry, when they arrive at a port. Some Canadian ports, including those in Halifax, Montr茅al and Vancouver, already provide shore power and LNG fuelling facilities.
Ports and port infrastructure stand to be disproportionately affected by sea-level rise, extreme weather and other impacts of climate change and implementing .
Currently, all participate in the Green Marine program. Several, including the ports of Halifax, Montr茅al and Vancouver, consistently achieve environmental excellence 鈥� the highest possible score. Despite widespread participation in the Green Marine program, only seven ports proactively integrate other elements of sustainability into their operations.
What about sustainable ports?
Green ports and sustainable ports are related, but are not quite the same.
is defined as the strategies and activities that a port undertakes to meet current and future needs of those who use it, while protecting and sustaining human and natural resources. Similarly, are defined as those engaged in the proactive development, execution and monitoring practices targeted at reducing environmental effects beyond compliance. Whereas , port sustainability considers .
Generally, . For example, the , handling 461 million tonnes of cargo in 2016. Despite its size, the port endeavours to be the world鈥檚 most sustainable and is striving for net-zero emissions by 2050. It supplies LNG to tenants, incentivizes use of shore power for ships and includes renewable energy in its electricity mix.
However, the Port of Rotterdam is facing increasingly stiff competition in its sustainability aspirations from the Port of Vancouver, Canada鈥檚 largest port. In 2016, the Port of Vancouver handled about 142 million tonnes of cargo from 170 countries, and strives to be 鈥�.鈥� It offers incentives such as reduced port fees to ship owners that reduce emissions and other environmental effects.
Vancouver鈥檚 recent 鈥淧ort 2050鈥� plan includes programs to monitor and report air pollution emissions, water quality, noise levels, habitat and wildlife impacts. The port measures ambient noise levels in real-time, and has used underwater noise levels to assess their impact on at-risk whales, which prompted the the port .
How can other Canadian ports become more sustainable?
Growth in the port industry is expected to continue. This growth will intensify adverse environmental effects on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. As society becomes increasingly aware of environmental issues, effective environmental management in port operations becomes essential.
With increasing social and economic demands, along with environmental challenges, port authorities must continue to adopt measures to improve environmental performance and achieve sustainability in port operations. Although all Canadian ports recognize that Green Marine certification can help improve their environmental stewardship, few are proactive at taking additional sustainability initiatives to improve environmental performance as compared to their European peers.
Canadian port authorities must ensure Canadian ports continue to participate in the Green Marine program and improve environmental performance. However, to remain competitive in the global maritime supply chain, they will need to take on more of a leadership role to integrate sustainability measures 鈥� beyond that of a single environmental lens.
Tahazzud Hossain, an environmental protection officer with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, co-authored this article.
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