Since 2019, the Port of Dunkirk and the Greater Dunkirk Urban Council, in collaboration with industrial stakeholders and academic institutions, have embarked on a collective initiative aimed at facilitating sustainable transformation across the region. This endeavour has led to the establishment of a shared organization known as ÉcosystèmeD, which is dedicated to guiding and executing a decarbonization roadmap while initiating, facilitating and coordinating technological solutions and individual as well as collective transformation projects. In close partnership with port authorities and collaborative organizations, ÉcosystèmeD has focused on developing large-scale collective infrastructures within the port area: –The existing industrial water network – already the largest in France – will be expanded through the use of non- conventional water sources from canals. Additionally, new resources, such as effluent from urban wastewater treatment facilities, will be integrated. Enhanced circularity among industries for water reuse will also be promoted. –A shared CO2 pipeline network will be developed to capture emissions from industrial plants for either permanent storage (CCS) or repurposing (carbon capture and use). –An “industrial heat superhighway” will be established to recover waste heat from neighbouring industrial facilities. This superhighway will extend France’s first urban heat network. Collaborative efforts are further highlighted by strengthened partnerships among industrial companies facilitated by expert groups organized by ÉcosystèmeD. Discussions on emerging technologies, innovative processes, co-benefits and business-to-business (B2B) exchanges have become standard practice.CASE STUDY 4 ÉcosystèmeDThe port sector can collaborate with other sectors in joint policy asks to seek political support from higher levels in promoting nature-positive transition. –Businesses can collaborate to set industry standards and regulations, standardizing port operations to reduce their impacts on nature. –Ports can collaborate in launching and contributing to nature-related initiatives. For example, according to the Global Maritime Forum, 44 green shipping corridor initiatives were already set up by the end of 2023.95 –Ports can engage with investors to develop finance mechanisms to enable a nature-positive transition. The Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI) has developed a guide to help financial institutions identify the impacts, risks and opportunities in several marine sectors, including a chapter that covers ports.96 –Collaboration in technological innovation within and outside the port sector has the potential to accelerate the implementation of other priority actions. From the perspective of ports as industrial and energy hubs, they would be able to play a larger and more innovative role in creating industrial clusters to develop/produce new circular materials with a focus on waste valorization. It is worth noticing that there are differentiated needs between ports in the global north versus the global south, which is particularly important when discussing finance and technology needs/support. Businesses should enhance their cross-sectoral collaboration to achieve common goals and accelerate the nature-positive transition. Nature Positive: Role of the Port Sector 34

Nature Positive Role of the Ports Sector