The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has announced the Port of Portland as recipient of an Environmental Achievement Award for its efforts to gain a better understanding of initiatives and trends in environmental protection and enhancement at ports around the globe.
The Port first partnered with the International Institute for Sustainable Seaports (I2S2) in 2010 to develop a white paper entitled, Environmental Initiatives at Seaports Worldwide: A Snapshot of Best Practices. The Port and I2S2 worked together to research the geographic, community, financial and regulatory drivers that influence decisions related to sustainability by conducting interviews, online research and literature reviews.
The information was initially gathered to guide conversations around future marine terminal development in the Portland harbor. However, the research paper was designed such that the information could be universally accessible to any ports reaching the same critical decision points.
In 2013, the Port and I2S2 teamed up again to develop an updated version of the white paper, adding new information about environmental initiatives and assessing changing trends within the industry since the first release of the white paper. Staff from the Port and I2S2 has personally delivered the findings of the effort at conferences and with key stakeholder groups. The paper is also publicly available in many locations online.
AAPA granted the award to the Port in the category of Stakeholder Awareness, Education, and Involvement. The Port will be recognized, along with ports who took top honors in three other categories, on Thursday, Nov. 13, at AAPA’s 103rd Annual Convention and Exposition.
Earlier this month, the Port also earned a Special Recognition award from the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies for serving as a role model in using alternative stormwater management techniques at marine Terminal 6.
Related Link:
American Association of Port Authorities News Release
