Port Sustainability

“Integrating sustainability into core business practices is considered essential to futureproof the port industry” (Ports Australia, 2020)

Nothing more current than the longstanding motto “think global, act local”. It is in the territories that large companies leave their immediate impacts. In stakeholder capitalism, a new look at business takes shape: what are their sustainability actions?

It is challenging (but possible!) to rethink ports by associating them with a sustainable agenda. The development and implementation of a sustainability strategy begins with the role of the port leaders. Sustainable actions must be integrated into overall business strategy, and also recognize the port as part of the community and located in important and beautiful natural environments.

Ethics, Respect, Empathy: key aspects of stakeholder management theories. Transparency, Value, Engagement: key aspects of stakeholder capitalism. When ports communicate with the port community, share their projects, present their vision and purposes, they engage people. When people feel integrated with the port dynamics, when they are secure about its physical presence and aware of their job opportunities, they grant a “license to operate” and a “license to grow”.

The sustainability of ports is much more than telling a story - or writing a report.

It is a new holistic way of thinking about port management and strategies. The port as part of global and local networks, as a business, as a transport infrastructure and a potential engine for local development. 

Including sustainability in the port agenda is to revisit the port-city relationship, creating value for the port community and ensuring the port future viability.

Artigo publicado originalmente no LinkedIn @flavianico