Gothenburg Port Authority has released its 2015 sustainability report on the port’s success in becoming climate-neutral whilst highlighting challenges that remain for 2016 and the future.
2015 proved to be an eventful year for Gothenburg Port Authority. The company became climate-neutral and implemented an extensive reworking of the discount system for vessels calling at the port that have been environmentally adapted.
“Sustainability issues in every shape and form are incredibly important to us. Among other things we have excelled as a role model when it comes to mitigating the environmental impact of transport. This is not only a way of assuming responsibility but also a competitive advantage. We constantly seek to be at the forefront and be proactive as shipping heads towards a greener future,” said Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive Magnus Kårestedt.
New for this year’s Sustainability Report is that it has been prepared in accordance with the G4 guidelines issued by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). International guidelines make it easy to compare the company’s sustainability status with other organisations, such as international ports, municipal companies and customers.
New environmental discount offers environmental incentive
The initiatives taken in 2015 include the fact that Gothenburg Port Authority will for the first time become a climate-neutral company. By investing in solar panels, biogas, district heating and other environmental initiatives, emissions have been reduced to a minimum. The remainder will be offset by purchasing Chinese wind power.
Efforts have also been made to create sustainable incentives for other members of the port cluster. In 2015, there was a strong focus on making the environmental discount in the company’s port charge clearer and more predictable.
“This will make it easier for the shipping companies to take the step and invest in environmental measures and is entirely in line with our mission to create incentives to promote greener shipping,” said Magnus Kårestedt.
Sustainability aspects
Reducing emissions to the air, sustainability requirements for suppliers, good partners with strong business ethics, co-operation with customers, complaint handling for the local community, creating local and regional jobs and growth, reduced consumption of resources, reducing the local impact on the environment, protection of local plant and animal life, security (for Gothenburg inhabitants, employees, contractors), a stable economy, developing the freight hub, human rights, employee health and work environment, employment conditions and skills development, diversity and non-discrimination, marketing the freight hub.
Open to the world
In 2015, an integration initiative commenced aimed at bringing new arrivals in the country into the organisation. To date this has resulted in two placements and the initiative will continue during 2016.
“It is partly a matter of taking responsibility but also about utilising expertise that could strengthen the organisation. The wheels of officialdom turn slowly but we are working actively to move forward in this area in the future,” Magnus Kårestedt continued.
Tough challenges ahead
There are many challenges that lie ahead. What stands out most perhaps is a completely new area of the port, comprising 220,000 square metres, which is due to be completed at some point after 2020. The new terminal will be constructed using surplus materials, including fly ash, blasted rock and dredging residue.
When the new port area is constructed, areas of eelgrass (also known as seawrack) will disappear from the seabed. Eelgrass is a vital part of the ecosystem and acts as a nursery for several species of fish.
“As always, when we expand we compensate for our encroachment on nature. We therefore intend to replant the same amount of eelgrass that disappears from the Arendal inlet,” said Magnus Kårestedt.
Further detail may be found by reading the report below
Source & Image credit:Port of Gothenburg