On 24 October, the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) unveiled its annual Environmental Report, finding that 58% of ports now provide Onshore Power Supply (OPS) at one or more berths.
This year’s ESPO Environmental Report-EcoPortsinSights edition, unveiled during the GreenPort Congress hosted by HAROPA PORT in Le Havre, draws upon data collected from 83 European ports across 21 countries. Through the EcoPorts Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), ports submit a wide range of environmental data, providing the basis for the report.
According to the report, a notable 58% of ports now provide Onshore Power Supply (OPS) at one or more berths, with 56% of them offering high voltage options. Despite this advancement, challenges such as insufficient grid infrastructure and inadequate grid capacity persist.
LNG bunkering facilities are available at 48% of ports, with an additional 16% planning to introduce them within the next two years. Hydrogen projects are also gaining traction, with 44% of ports actively engaged in this area, highlighting hydrogen’s potential as a key alternative clean fuel.
Additionally, 61% of ports offer environmentally differentiated dues to incentivize sustainable practices in shipping, with air emissions reduction schemes being the most implemented incentive, available at 67% of these ports.
One of the main features of this report remains the Top 10 Environmental Priorities, a list which sheds light on the environmental challenges faced by European ports. This ranking provides both ESPO and European policymakers with the critical insights needed to make well-informed decisions. For the third consecutive year, climate change maintains its position as the foremost environmental concern for European ports.
| Indicators | 2013 (%) | 2019 (%) | 2020 (%) | 2021 (%) | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2024 (%) | % CHANGE 13–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Existence of a certified Environmental Management System (EMS) – ISO, EMAS or PERS | 54 | 71 | 65 | 75 | 75 | 69 | 75 | +21 |
| 2. Existence of an Environmental Policy | 90 | 95 | 96 | 93 | 90 | 92 | 98 | +8 |
| 3. Environmental Policy makes reference to international and/or national port environmental policy guidelines | 38 | 38 | 43 | 39 | 46 | 53 | 53 | +15 |
| 4. Existence of an inventory of relevant environmental legislation | 90 | 96 | 91 | 88 | 90 | 93 | 98 | +8 |
| 5. Existence of an inventory of Significant Environmental Aspects (SEA) | 84 | 89 | 92 | 92 | 90 | 92 | 96 | +12 |
| 6. Definition of objectives for environmental improvement | 84 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 88 | 90 | 98 | +14 |
| 7. Existence of an environmental training program for port employees | 66 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 49 | 49 | 59 | -7 |
| 8. Existence of an environmental monitoring program | 79 | 82 | 81 | 86 | 90 | 92 | 95 | +16 |
| 9. Environmental responsibilities of key personnel are documented | 71 | 85 | 85 | 82 | 88 | 89 | 93 | +22 |
| 10. Publication of a publicly available environmental report | 62 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 82 | +20 |
The Top 10 is a good barometer of what is at stake. Climate remains the most important priority, but ports do not seem to lose sight of other environmental concerns. Together with the ESPO good green practices on our website, this report is also a useful tool for all incoming EU decisionmakers,
… commented Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General.
Key findings
- Climate change remains the top environmental priority for ports, followed by energy efficiency and air quality, marking a shift from the 2023 report.
- Climate change adaptation is increasingly important, with 64% of ports facing climate-related operational challenges, up from 47% last year.
- 73% of ports are enhancing the resilience of existing infrastructure, while 86% integrate climate adaptation into new projects.
- Water-related port development continues to rank among the Top 10 priorities for the second consecutive year.
- The ESPO Environmental Report 2024 highlights positive trends, showing strong commitment to sustainability and environmental governance.
- A growing number of ports are obtaining Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification, the only environmental management standard designed specifically for ports.
- The Environmental Management Index (EMI) reached an all-time high of 8.61 in 2024, reflecting robust environmental monitoring focused on energy efficiency, port waste, and water quality.
- 98% of ports have an Environmental Policy, an inventory of relevant legislation, and defined objectives for environmental improvement.
- Nearly all ports maintain inventories of Significant Environmental Aspects (SEA) and have active environmental monitoring programs.
- Environmental training programs for port employees have decreased over the past two years, yet the current level is the highest since 2017.
Our mission is to ensure EcoPorts equips ports with the tools to drive Europe’s decarbonisation and foster a greener future from the bottom up
… commented Anaëlle Boudry, ESPO Senior Policy Advisor and EcoPorts Coordinator.
