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The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is proud to present the annual ESPO Environmental Report for 2021.

The ESPO Environmental Report is part of EcoPorts, the environmental flagship initiative of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). This 6th edition is based on data from 99 European ports from 21 European countries, who filled in the EcoPorts Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM) (www.ecoports.com). The SDM is a checklist of good practice and provides the database for this report.

With climate change and environmental issues on top of both the ports and the policy makers’ agendas, the 2021 Report has become an essential tool to monitor performance and see where problems arise. It provides ESPO and European policymakers with insights on the environmental issues that European ports are working on, and informs the priorities of ESPO.

For 2021, the report shows a number of positive trends amongst key indicators. Based on the slightly larger sample compared to in 2020, the Top 10 environmental priorities of European ports are almost the same. The five top priorities are the same as in 2020, with air quality, climate change, and energy efficiency as the top three priorities.

The 2021 Report also finds that ports are demonstrably improving their environmental management, addressing their priorities through bottom-up initiatives. In 2021, a growing number of ports provided environmental training programs and training, and close to 40% of ports are certified with EcoPorts PERS, which is the only port-specific certification on the market.

Together with the ESPO Green Guide 2021 (available here), the ESPO Environmental Report strengthens the long-standing efforts of European ports to monitor and address high priority environmental issues.

“The positive trends in the 2021 Report are encouraging for Europe’s ports, and in particular, port professionals working in the field of environmental management, and very motivating for all those engaged in the work of EcoPorts. The environmental challenges economy and society are facing nowadays demand an exceptional engagement and involvement of all stakeholders in the port ecosystem. More than ever, monitoring, transparency and certification are essential elements to make progress on the greening path. Platforms such as EcoPorts are instrumental to exchange good practices and create coalitions of the willing. This report is a milestone, and I hope we can continue the same trend next year,” says Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO Secretary General.

“We are very pleased with the findings of the 6th ESPO Environmental Report. The 2021 Report demonstrates that ports are taking the challenges they face seriously, and are taking action through environmental management. Improvements in the Environmental Management Index, and the growing number of PERS-certified ports show that the EcoPorts Network is more relevant and valuable to ports than ever before. The 2021 Report highlights strengths to build on, and issues to address in the years to come. Together with the ESPO Green Guide 2021, the 2021 Environmental Report provides ports with essential tools to further engage in greening from the bottom up,” says Valter Selén, EcoPorts Coordinator.

The full report is available through this link. 

Published in Ports & Shipping
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Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.