Seaports are one of the major hubs of the global economy with around 90 percent of the world trade being handled by the international shipping industry (International Chamber of Shipping 2017). Ports’ activities pose negative impacts on the environment, the social, and the economic dimension (Puig et al. 2015). A number of ports have developed their own approaches to assess and report about their sustainability strategies (Lu et al. 2016) and research on the topic is growing (e.g. Puig et al. 2014; Peris-Mora et al. 2005); however, the focus has been mainly on environmental issues. Additionally, there are no port specific holistic reporting guidelines, which makes the comparison of sustainability efforts difficult and sometimes almost impossible (Puig et al. 2017).
The use of different and inconsistent indicators can lead to contradictory assessment results restricting decision-making processes. While there is an abundant body of literature on sustainability assessment and reporting in general (e.g. Pope et al. 2017), academic research concerning this topic at seaports remains quite low.
This research is aimed at addressing this gap by proposing a comprehensive and holistic sustainability assessment framework for seaports. Through a systematic and critical review of sustainability assessment literature, including sustainability assessment frameworks, their applicability, scope and dimensions, current approaches to assess sustainability at seaports are analysed. The research examines trade-offs in sustainability assessment at seaports and questions the selection of indicators. Based on the constant comparative method of Grounded Theory, a framework was developed that is based on a holistic understanding of sustainability. The research shows that normative understanding of sustainability and interlinking issues have to be better incorporated in assessment approaches. It highlights the need to change from traditional assessment and reductionist methods to a more holistic approach using systems thinking.
Keywords:
sustainability assessment, sustainability reporting, seaports, sustainable development, framework
References:
International Chamber of Shipping. 2017. “Shipping Facts.” 2017. http://www.ics-shipping.org/shipping-facts/shipping-facts.
Lu, Chin-shan, Kuo-chung Shang, and Chi-chang Lin. 2016. “Identifying Crucial Sustainability Assessment Criteria for Container Seaports.” Maritime Business Review 1 (2):90–106.
Peris-Mora, E., J.M. Diez Orejas, A. Subirats, S. Ibáñez, P. Alavrez, and P Alvarez. 2005. “Development of a System of Indicators for Sustainable Port Management.” Marine Pollution Bulletin 50:1649–60.
Pope, Jenny, Alan Bond, Jean Hugé, and Angus Morrison-Saunders. 2017. “Reconceptualising Sustainability Assessment.” Environmental Impact Assessment Review 62. Elsevier B.V.:205–15.
Puig, Martí, Arnau Pla, Xavier Seguí, and Rosa Mari Darbra. 2017. “Tool for the Identification and Implementation of Environmental Indicators in Ports (TEIP).” Ocean and Coastal Management 140. Elsevier Ltd:34–45.
Puig, Martí, Chris Wooldridge, and Rosa Mari Darbra. 2014. “Identification and Selection of Environmental Performance Indicators for Sustainable Port Development.” Marine Pollution Bulletin 81 (1):124–30.
Puig, Martí, Chris Wooldridge, Antonis Michail, and Rosa Mari Darbra. 2015. “Current Status and Trends of the Environmental Performance in European Ports.” Environmental Science & Policy 48:57–66.
1c. Assessing sustainability (indicators and reporting)
