Photo: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
In a brand new report, UN special rapporteur Philip Alston noted that climate change not only poses a threat to our environment, but to our basic human rights.
There is so much work to be done, and fortunately for Vancouver, some progress has already been made. When the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, released its third Port Emissions Inventory Report in 2017, the results indicated that while significant progress has been made toward reducing air pollutant emissions associated with port activities, total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are forecast to continue to increase with growth in trade. The Port of Vancouver plays an important role in the region’s prosperity, handling $1 in $3 of Canada’s trade in goods beyond North America through imports of consumer goods like clothing, food and electronics and exports such as wheat, B.C. forest products, and craft beer.
These results shared by the port authority are encouraging, but with urgent reports calling for greater emission-reduction tactics surfacing daily, we all need to take more action. That’s why the port authority’s vision for the Port of Vancouver to become the most sustainable port on the planet is so important.
Photo via Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Becoming the world’s most sustainable port is not a vision the port authority can reach alone—collaboration with industry partners is key. Stronger regulation and investment in technology made by the port community—a shift in action that began in the early 2000s—has contributed to the air emissions reductions to date, but more action is needed to further reduce emissions associated with port activities.
One way the port authority encourages users to reduce their emissions footprint is through incentive programs like its EcoAction program, which offers discounts on harbour dues to ships that meet voluntary environmental best practices that reduce emissions, underwater noise and other environmental impacts. Every year, the marine operators that meet the highest level of participation are awarded with a Blue Circle Award for their voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions in the Port of Vancouver.
Last year, the port authority announced its participation in the International World Ports Climate Action Program, a joint initiative with seven other ports around the world that focuses on a number of projects to address the issue of global warming. The port authority is also leading the International Collaboration on Ship Emissions Reduction Initiative to explore the potential for international collaboration in improving environmental performance in shipping.
From trade to tourism, we are all hugely reliant on Vancouver’s port. It’s absolutely essential that an industry we continue to rely on to import the products we use daily and get our goods to international markets, and that supports local jobs across the country is. The environmental initiatives led by the port authority are helping chart a course toward a more sustainable future and putting Vancouver on track to be home to the world’s most sustainable port.
You can learn more about the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s sustainability initiatives by visiting portvancouver.com
