Numerous ports in the world are ‘going green’, with the aim of being more sustainable in the world’s changing climate. Although ports are a relatively small dot in the world’s drive to be more sustainable, they are also a key linkage in the world’s supply chains, connecting economies on a grand scale. As such they have a role to play in the world’s sustainable future, and thus must include sustainability in their strategy moving forward.
What is a Green Port?
The are many definitions of what a green port is, and in essence, there are a few key parts of the various definitions which recur in one part or another:
Invest and encourage,
New Policy and Governance,
To be future looking,
To assist the maritime sector and land-based supply chains,
To decarbonize, be more environmentally responsible, and more sustainable
In the long term
In a changing climate
Whilst ports will have different perspectives as to what ‘sustainable’ operations truly are, broadly they are new green technologies and low and zero-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels and power-intensive terminal equipment.
Many of these greening practices are early on in their development life and have a considerable way to go before they are commercially attractive and mainstream. Many are limited by jurisdictional challenges, lack of relevant legislation in the host country, and lack of skills. Quite simply, they are ‘out of the hands’ of the ports in the short term.
Ports, for most of these can only act as agents, by ensuring they provide the right types of services to cater for these coming changes. Green buildings are another technology to aid ports in their green strategy. However, they are often overlooked in the Green Ports catalogue.
The Missing Opportunity
Green Buildings offer a fantastic opportunity to save energy, reduce waste, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources; all while improving water and air quality. Green Buildings also offer their occupants better health and productivity and are additionally cost-efficient to operate (GBCSA). There are numerous other benefits that green buildings bring. Please read the 11 benefits from The Green Building Council of South Africa (https://gbcsa.org.za/11-reasons-to-build-green/).
In the recent South African context, green buildings also future proof against high electricity costs and uncertainty in the future with respect to power outages. Another one of the largest benefits is that green buildings are rated and certified by an independent body, the relevant national green building council (or international council), which provides a solid basis for claiming outputs, or certifications, for a green port strategy.
Suitable for the Public Sector?
Green buildings are not only the ambit of the larger private sector businesses. The government of South Africa is taking a strong leadership position in the adoption of the green building, primarily lead through the Department of Public Works, who is adopting quickly to the benefits of green buildings and realizing the potential they have in improving the working environment of their workforce, i.e. public sector employees.
Several examples of existing government green buildings are presented below.
Sisonke District Offices: Ixopo in KZN | Department of public works: Batho Pele House Building: Tshwane | Khayelitsha shared services office building: Western Cape |
Who rates Green Buildings?
Green buildings are rated through an incremental rating system developed by the national green building council. There are a many green ratings councils / organizations throughout the world (https://worldgbc.org/global-directory-of-green-building-councils/).
The LEED® standards, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification program devised in 1994 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC; founded 1993). The UK has the BREAAM system. Most countries now days have some kind of Green Building Council, that has distinct operational jurisdiction in their country. Many are based on the earlier established Green building Councils. South Africa has the Green Building Council of South Africa.
Laying the Green Stake in the Ground
In the green ports ‘arsenal’, green buildings a clear low hanging fruit, which often is missed by the industry. Green buildings give employees and the port workforce a healthier, cleaner and more comfortable working environment. Most importantly, there are intendant organizations which certify green buildings in incremental ratings systems. Thus, they have the potential to act as a catalyst for green ports because they have the potential to lay the clearest ‘green stake in the ground’ possible – a physical improvement to the health and working environment of the port workforce – both a visual statement and a well-being claim, that forms the start of the ports Green Port Strategy.
Green Buildings should be the first move in the Green Port Strategy. The ultimate low hanging fruit.
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