The Port of Barcelona has been working for years to improve the sustainability of the infrastructure, but it does so with a multifaceted approach, based on different pillars. Specifically, it takes into account the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of its operations, ensuring that its development positively impacts Barcelona and its citizens.
This translates into generating value in terms of economic efficiency, improving the competitiveness of companies working in the port area and facilitating their internationalization. But it also involves proposing initiatives that allow for the reduction of CO₂ emissions and other pollutants, and promoting good labor practices and opening up to the city.
"Our focus is always on these three areas because we believe that our economic contribution would not be understood without making a valuable contribution to our environment, both socially and environmentally," explains the president of the Port of Barcelona, Mercè Conesa. "A three-level contribution that is collectively generated by the port community, with all the diversity of actors and professional profiles it integrates," she adds.
"A three-level contribution that is collectively generated by the port community, with all the diversity of actors and professional profiles it integrates," Conesa defends.This bet by the Port is a pioneering model, which finds its origins in the Sectoral Sustainability Plan launched in 2016, with the aim of responding to the sustainability objectives set in the III Strategic Plan.Currently, more than 80 companies have joinedto the Sectoral Sustainability Plan, which also focuses on global challenges, such as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"This plan is unique worldwide in the port sector because it starts from the premise that, to work towards sustainable development and respond to the expectations of the heterogeneous stakeholders of the Port, it is essential to provide a collective response from the entire port community," says the president.
Economic sustainability
An example of the strategy to foster economic sustainability from the Port is the Efficiency Network, the quality brand of operators specialized in containerized cargo working in the institution. Through process improvement, it not only adds value to certified companies but also ensures that the level of quality, efficiency, and competitiveness inherent to the infrastructure is transferred to the entire logistics chain. Consequently, it also does so for the local economy.
Likewise, the Efficiency Network also positively impacts the development of professionals linked to certified companies through periodic training. This affects another aspect of sustainability that the Port seeks, the social one.
The Efficiency Network, the quality brand of operators specialized in containerized cargo, is a good example of an initiative to promote economic sustainability in the PortBeyond this quality brand, with the aim of enhancing economic sustainability, the institution chaired by Conesa also works to promote the creation of new businesses and increase the Gross Value Added (GVA) of its environment. Likewise, it boosts the attraction of international investment, with projects such as Barcelona China's European Logistics Centerwhich, in collaboration with the Barcelona City Council and Catalonia Trade & Investment, supports Chinese companies that want to establish themselves in the Catalan capital and turn it into their operations center with Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.
The Port has several future projects to increase its economic sustainability, such as the investment in technology it is making to become a leading smart port. "We have a world-class business fabric, increasingly internationalized and more demanding in its demand for efficient port services, and this will help us continue to improve," emphasizes the president.
Social sustainability
The Port also takes care to put people at the center. That is why its objective is to generate quality and diversified employment, in a healthy and safe environment for everyone. This strategy is oriented towards two main groups: the institution's workers and the citizens in its surroundings.
A total of 37,000 employees work in this Barcelona infrastructure. With the desire to continue growing, the Port focuses on promoting the training that companies need and fostering entrepreneurship and new emerging sectors, such as the blue economy. To promote this new economic area, the institution has signed an agreement with the Barcelona City Council, which will serve to promote a collaboration strategy that allows sharing projects, fostering talent, and promoting the city as a benchmark for the blue economy.
Likewise, the great strategic agreement recently concluded to promote quality vocational training and attract talent to the port and logistics world stands out, which has managed to bring together a broad representation of the business sector, institutions, and the academic world. This agreement seeks to promote continuous training, promote the accreditation of acquired professional competencies, meet the requirements of the labor market and the needs of companies, among others.
A total of 37,000 employees work in this Barcelona infrastructure and the Port has the will to continue growing, by promoting training and fostering entrepreneurshipAll this, always wanting to promote equal opportunities. First, the institution led by Conesa is very mindful of the necessary integration of people with disabilities and at risk of social exclusion, and plans to increase the staff of the Cares Foundation by 50%, dedicated to promoting the socio-labor integration of these vulnerable groups. It also addresses the issue of equal opportunities from a gender perspective, with objectives such as increasing the presence of women in the governing bodies of the different port associations and entities, and the elaboration of a new Equality Plan.
Likewise, the social dimension of sustainability includes a greater integration of the Port with the urban and metropolitan environment, making it more attractive and permeable to citizens. For example, work is underway to create more than 40 hectares of green areas linking the Llobregat agricultural park with Montjuïc mountain, with an investment of almost 24 million euros.
Environmental sustainability
The infrastructure has been working for many years to reduce its environmental impact on the city and its inhabitants, which it causes through the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Specifically, the first action was in 1996, when the first meteorological stations and particle measuring stations were installed. Three years later, the first units for measuring polluting gases began to operate.
The Port is committed to reducing more than 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from port activity from now until 2030. All this to become a neutral port in emissions by 2050, although the institution will do everything possible to advance this date.
One of the main ways to achieve this milestone is the Docks Electrification Plan, which will allow ships to connect to the general electricity grid once they dock at the piers, using clean energy with 100% renewable origin certification. The electrification of the main docks of the Port will eliminate about 100,000 tons of greenhouse gases or CO₂ annually, as well as a significant reduction in emissions of other particles that affect air quality, such as NOx, SOx and particles (PM).
With an investment of almost 90 million euros, the plan is already underway, with Red Eléctrica's announcement of the start of construction of the new Ronda Litoral Substation, which will connect with the Port. "It's excellent news," Conesa values. The new 220 kV substation will be located very close to the Príncip d'Espanya Dock, on the south side of the Ronda Litoral. From this Red Eléctrica substation, a new substation in the Port of Barcelona will be fed through a high-voltage underground cable, making possible the development of a medium-voltage network in the port area to meet new electricity consumption needs.
Beyond the electrification of the docks, the institution is working on other projects to reduce its environmental impact, such as a renewable energy generation plan. The Port began in 2005 to carry out the first projects on this last issue, with the installation of photovoltaic roofs in the ZAL. This implementation process is now accelerating: work is expected to begin shortly with terminals and concessionary facilities to install photovoltaic panels on roofs. The generation of renewable energy is closely linked to the new electrical grid where ships will connect.