The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) has unveiled its annual ESPO Environmental Report 2026 – EcoPortsinSights 2026 during the GreenPort Congress, hosted by Portsmouth International Port in the UK.
The unveiling yesterday of ESPO’s Environmental Report is a cornerstone of the EcoPorts initiative, supporting European ports in their efforts to continuously improve their environmental performance.
This year’s edition draws on data from 73 European ports across 17 countries. Through the EcoPorts Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM), ports provide a wide range of environmental data, forming the basis of the report and offering valuable insights into environmental performance across the European port sector.
One of the main features of the report remains the Top 10 Environmental Priorities, which provides an overview of the environmental challenges faced by European ports. This long-standing ranking offers both ESPO and European policymakers valuable insights to support informed decision-making. For the fifth consecutive year, climate change remains the number one environmental priority for European ports.
Port Greenhouse Gas Targets
In 2026, 85% of responding ports have established their own greenhouse gas reduction target, while 79% are taking measures to strengthen the resilience of existing infrastructure and 89% consider climate adaptation when developing new infrastructure.
Alongside climate change, air quality and energy efficiency remain among the sector’s key environmental priorities. Ports are also continuing to support the transition towards cleaner transport. Onshore Power Supply (OPS) is available in 60% of participating ports, while environmentally differentiated port dues have reached a record 70%. Charging infrastructure for cars and/or trucks is now available in 93% of responding ports, although grid capacity and connectivity remain important challenges for further progress.
The ESPO Environmental Report 2026 highlights the continued strong environmental performance of European ports while also showing a gradual shift from putting environmental management systems in place towards ensuring their effective implementation and delivering measurable results. 97% of participating ports have an Environmental Policy, 99% have defined objectives for environmental improvement, and 95% operate an environmental monitoring programme.
Environmental monitoring also remains strong, particularly in areas such as energy efficiency, port and ship waste, and carbon footprint, while public environmental reporting has reached a new high of 85%. These results reflect how environmental and climate considerations are becoming increasingly embedded in the day-to-day management and long-term development of European ports.
Overall, the report reflects the continued commitment of European ports to improving their environmental performance. It also highlights the next step: moving from environmental commitments and systems towards measurable results and effective implementation. Through EcoPorts and the SDM, ports can continue to show their performance, learn from one another, and identify opportunities for further improvement across the European port sector.
"The new ESPO Annual Environmental Report shows both progress and ambition. For the first time, it brings together key policy recommendations and takeaways while placing greater emphasis on the relationship between ports and their local communities. The report also confirms the strong environmental performance of participating European ports and their continued commitment to sustainability," added Tim Verhoeven, ESPO Senior Policy Advisor and EcoPorts Coordinator.
