2nd ECOPORTS Conference
SHARING ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Marseille, 21-22 March, 2005

The 2nd ECOPORTS Conference attracted more than 150 participants from Port Communities all around Europe. The most important results are presented here:

The ECOPORTS Conference confirmed that:

• Ports have a key role in achieving a European Network that is sustainable, economically efficient and environmentally friendly
• The port area and the role of port authorities continues to be the focus of a wide range of environmental issues
• Good quality, evidence based information is crucial for effective environmental management
• The environment is a pre-competitive issue for ports
• The objective remains to achieve a level playing field through shared, cost-effective solutions

The guiding principles for future actions are:

• To think of the functioning of the port as a whole and as part of international logistic chains
• To commit to continual improvement through the mutual sharing of practical experience in bottom-up networks of ports and individuals
• To demonstrate the achievements of the port sector and to recognize the importance of giving and receiving best practice information
• To implement the objectives of sustainable development and environmental protection through a voluntary, self regulated approach

The following recommendations were made for future actions:

• Consider the implementation of tools such as SDM, PERS and EMS and membership of the ECOPORTS Foundation
• Encourage port safety, business and environmental managers to read and consider the ESPO Environmental Code of Practice
• Recognize the value that environmental services bring to the port’s business
• Pioneer the technology to make the growth and renovation of ports and harbours compatible with other important uses of the coast
• Proactively work to make port employees aware of the requirements of environmental legislation
• Identifying performance indicators to monitor and measure progress in environmental improvement
• Continue to develop and improve knowledge and communication within the ECOPORTS network and with key stakeholders focusing on new joint initiatives
• Be pro-active integrating economic and environmental objectives

>Click here for the proceedings and the presentations of this Conference (this link will redirect you to the old ECOPORTS Web-Site)

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