The C40 World Ports Climate Conference in Rotterdam that took place from July 9 to 11 was successful according to the organisation. The 55 ports present endorsed in the closing session the World Ports Climate Declaration, in which they actively commit themselves to reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality. Under the umbrella of the International Association for Ports and Harbours (IAPH) now concrete measures will be prepared. In November a follow-up will take place in the port and city of Los Angeles.

The conference chairman Ruud Lubbers was delighted with the outcome. “The conference was very inspiring. The ports were very committed to the issue”. Mr. Lubbers concluded that the results are excellent. “55 ports endorsed the World Ports Climate Declaration, that however earlier was negotiated, but now the first concrete steps are made for a future where ports will come collectively with concrete international measures”.

“When it comes to addressing greenhouse gas emissions, port authorities obviously have the largest influence on their own operations, staff and equipment. This is where we should start.” said ESPO Secretary General Patrick Verhoeven during his presentation to the World Ports Climate Conference in Rotterdam. “Whilst it is also feasible for a port authority to stimulate sustainable behaviour of ships and terminal operations, it is much more complex to influence actors in the logistics chain. The real challenge lies there and it is promising to see that partnerships between port authorities and logistic operators already exist in Europe.” Patrick Verhoeven announced that ESPO has started an inventory of good practices which will form the basis for a concrete strategy to be formulated in the near future. “We especially envisage updating a series of environmental self-regulatory instruments we developed together with the EcoPorts Foundation over the past few years”, concluded the ESPO Secretary General who also remarked that EU policy-makers should give this approach a chance rather than imposing one-size-fits-all measures.

Lead by the International Association of Ports and Harbours, the agreed actions will be taken and worked out more in detail. Subjects that will be addressed include the development of the so-called CO2-footprints, a standard method to quantify the CO 2 emissions that are needed to be able to monitor the progress of the actions to reduce the emissions. Also ports will develop a global indexing system they will enable them to reward the clean and climate friendly ocean going ships, and punish the polluters.

The Climate Conference was organised by the Port of Rotterdam and the Rotterdam Climate Initiative. The next meeting will take place in Los Angeles. This is, as became clear during the conference, one of the front runners in the combat for clean air and against climate change. Other ports are ready to follow this example on a voluntary base.

In a video message President Clinton indicated that he embraces the results and that he is ready to further support the initiative with his Clinton Climate initiative.