The sustainable transformation of energy, materials, equipment and operating systems is an important action not only to contribute to a nature-positive transition but also to reduce energy use and improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing costs and enhancing ports’ competitiveness. In alignment with the IMO strategy to eliminate GHG emissions within this century, a nature- positive port should strive to become zero- emission. This ambitious goal involves adopting innovative technologies, sustainable practices and eco-friendly operations to minimize environmental impact, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and healthier planet. Ports should optimize their energy portfolio by increasing the use of clean energy sources such as renewable electricity or by installing wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal energy solutions and tidal energy facilities within the port area where appropriate and feasible. Concurrently, it is essential to introduce and adopt advanced energy management solutions (e.g. smart grid management systems) alongside battery storage systems. For example, with the container terminals, PSA International aims to progressively transition all diesel-based container handling equipment to cleaner energy sources through electrification as well as low or zero-carbon sources, like hydrogen. Within the wider port value chain, ships account for a significant share of GHG emissions. Many shipping companies have taken actions to promote the research, development and deployment of low- or zero-emission marine fuels and advanced propulsion technologies. To mitigate pollution and GHG emissions and to reduce fossil fuel dependency, ports should also improve or retrofit storage and refilling facilities to accommodate increasing quantities of green alternative fuels needed for green shipping, including methanol, hydrogen and ammonia. They should also invest in the use of shore power for ships in port.3.2 Enhance the use of clean energy, sustainable materials and advanced equipment and operating systemsPriority action 2 Shore power refers to a way of supplying electricity to ships from the onshore grid when the ship is moored at port. Compared with the traditional ship generator power supply method, the use of shore power has the advantages of pollution reduction, energy savings, noise reduction and reduced maintenance costs. Shore power can also effectively reduce fuel consumption when ships are at berth, thereby reducing GHG emissions, including carbon oxides, NOx, SOx and soot. Shore power is being implemented globally at an increasing speed to ports and different types of ships. The use of shore power requires ports, shipping companies and power suppliers to work together on building and maintaining infrastructure to ensure a clean and reliable power supply to the ships. As a smart zero-carbon terminal, Tianjin Port Second Container Terminal is powered by a wind power and storage integration system, using 100% electric power, 100% green power and 100% green power self-sufficiency, realizing the carbon neutrality of the company’s production and operation. The terminal is supported by green power, which includes three fixed shore power units and one 440-volt low-voltage mobile shore power unit, allowing up to three ships to connect simultaneously. With a maximum shore power capacity of 6,000 kVA (kilo-volt-amperes), these green shore power units help significantly reduce ship emissions, enhance the port’s overall energy efficiency and improve its environmental sustainability.CASE STUDY 2 Tianjin Port In alignment with the IMO strategy to eliminate GHG emissions within this century, a nature-positive port should strive to become zero- emission. Over the past few decades, container ships have experienced rapid growth, with their average capacity doubling in just one decade. The largest container ship currently in operation can carry 24,346 TEUs. As the shipping industry continues to evolve, ports are increasingly embracing the handling of megaships. Modernizing port infrastructure to support these mega-vessels presents an opportunity for integrating sustainable practices that mitigate environmental impact. Automation is becoming more prevalent: for example, Qingdao Port has established a fully automated container terminal as the world’s first “hydrogen+5G” smart green terminal, achieving unmanned operations throughout the entire loading and unloading process with a maximum efficiency of 60.2 TEU per hour.92 Nature Positive: Role of the Port Sector 30

Nature Positive Role of the Ports Sector