The Self Diagnosis Methodology (SDM) has been designed to help ports identify their significant environmental aspects. As such, the tool forms a basis for identifying environmental priorities within the port. SDM is a concise checklist against which port managers can self-assess the environmental management programme of the port in relation to the performance of both the sector and international standards. The responses of the port managers are entered into a database and thus contribute to the build-up of the port sector’s benchmark performance. As a result they receive a report and recommendations based on a SWOT and GAP analysis of their responses to the checklist.
Where the tool has been applied ports have found SDM to be highly effective in developing their environmental program of work, as well as in reporting progress and developing awareness of staff internally within the port organisation.
More detailed, the objectives of the SDM are:
- to assess the actual environmental situation in a port against a European benchmark
- to indicate the environmental priorities within the port
- to assess the environmental impact of particular port operations or new plans for port development
- to apply in a non-prescriptive way the main requirements of ISO 14001 or EMAS
- to assist in setting-up an environmental reporting system
> download the latest SDM brochure 2009
> contact the Ecoports secretariat.
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