Ports are crucial economic engines, accounting for approximately 10% of the U.S. GDP and 16% of the EU Blue Economy profits. Recognizing their impact, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Lloyd’s Register Foundation have launched a three-year initiative starting in March 2025 to promote nature-positive port development while improving safety, working conditions, and environmental sustainability.
Key Goals of the Partnership
- Commitments from Major Global Ports:
- Securing verifiable strategies that benefit both people and nature.
- Sustainable Infrastructure in Emerging Markets:
- Ensuring new port investments incorporate nature-positive criteria.
- Decarbonization & Clean Energy Transition:
- Aligning with global targets like the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Strategic Focus Areas
- Innovative Engineering for Greener Ports
- “Ports play a significant role in driving growth for emerging economies. As demand for port infrastructure increases, we need innovative practices and engineering methods to secure a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable sector,” said Alfredo Giron, Head of Ocean, WEF.
- Protecting Coastal & Marine Ecosystems
- Implementing sensitive planning to minimize negative impacts on local biodiversity.
- Economic and Social Prosperity
- Improving working conditions and unlocking new capital for sustainable operations.
- Unlocking $54 Billion in Business Opportunities
- A WEF report suggests that prioritizing nature-positive strategies and decarbonization could generate over $54 billion in cost savings and revenue by 2030.
A Call for Collaborative Action
“Addressing the current and projected environmental impact of ports and industrial areas in the context of the energy transition is imperative,“ said Jörgen Sandström, Head of Transforming Industrial Ecosystems, WEF.
This initiative marks a critical step towards balancing economic growth, energy security, and environmental preservation—paving the way for a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future for the global port sector.
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Source: World Economic Forum
