A new GreenPort column designed to draw attention to the varied responsibilities of environment managers shaping port and terminal policy. This month, the spotlight falls on Charles Haine, Global Environmental Manager, DP World. Charles has been with DP World, the Dubai-based international marine terminal operator, since May 2008. His challenges include advising on global environmental strategy, tackling the carbon agenda and being a focal point for liaison with engineers, operations etc. He works out of the Europe Region corporate office in London.

Sunday

In the Middle East, Sunday is Monday so the Blackberry starts buzzing during the early rerun of Match of the Day. The Global Safety & Environment team - based in Dubai with staff also in London and Sydney - is available 24/7 to respond to accidents and incidents. An Incident Report describes a fi re in a container housing a hazardous substance onboard a ship berthed in south-east Asia. I respond with pertinent questions to further clarify who, and how we, responded and where the (contaminated) firewater ended up. Later, my Director phones for input into a business development proposal for a potential new project. Environmental due diligence and an intrusive soil survey/analysis to determine contamination are required, in line with our Acquisition Standard. I quickly scan Outlook calendar for the week’s impending meetings so I know which days to don a tie.

Monday

The commute into London Waterloo whizzes by in a blur as I make a head start on the email inbox and read newspaper reports of the weekend’s Premiership action. I’m at my desk by 8.30, highlight high priority items for the week and send requests for data on energy consumption/KPIs to our seven Regional S&E Advisors. The day is filled-up with the inevitable requests for PowerPoint slides, telecoms with Dubai and contributions to monthly Operations’ and safety reports. A senior Director asks me to explain the concepts of the voluntary carbon trading market. We conclude by agreeing that signing a cheque to offset carbon is not very exciting. We must continue to develop better measurement techniques and proactive initiatives. This evening I find myself at Oxford Street to attend the excellent Green Mondays event. Cross-sector corporate managers and captains of industry meet to network and discuss climate change initiatives in a plenary followed by round-table discussion

Tuesday

I travel between 20-30% of the time and flights are organised for Hamburg (ICHCA environment meeting) and Dakar, Senegal (audit and Environment & Social Management Plan to Equator Principles for an expansion). Later, it’s the relative calm of an informative webinar hosted by the “2degreesnetwork.com” team on the Carbon Reduction Commitment. This new legislation will affect our UK terminals in terms of mandatory reporting of energy consumption/CO2 emissions, the purchase and trading of carbon allowances and reduction strategies. The carbon agenda is rapidly overtaking traditional environmental management issues in ports although compliance to waste and water thresholds and instilling best practice is still crucial. On the return commute, I scan, Containerisation International, Tradewinds and Sustainable Business magazine, snatched from the ever-growing tower of publications congesting my in-tray.

Wednesday

Dawn sees an early train journey to DP World Southampton where I’m presenting to the European region’s Operations’ Managers. The SVP is also in from Dubai. I modify slides on Environmental Strategy and make sure new ideas for 2010 are integrated to stimulate discussion. This forum is a perfect opportunity to raise awareness with influential colleagues, who we need to be ambassadors for energy saving. They don’t need convincing about climate change but speaking in terms of “energy effectiveness” and “cost-savings” will help me. The emphasis of the debate moves from new eco-technologies to low-cost solutions. One European terminal is justifiably proud to showcase a zero-to-low cost Eliminate-Reduce programme that has reduced electricity consumption by over 15% this year. Through a detailed analysis of consumption, engineers and finance teams have been able to better identify priority areas for focussing effort. The crunch has hammered travel budgets but all attendees agree there is nothing like face-to-face meetings to enhance networks and share new knowledge.

Thursday

I have a telecon with our IT supplier to arrange changes to the corporate CO2 Calculator Tool. S&E Advisors at each of our 49 operational terminals must input data to the GSE portal on a monthly basis. Delegations from our French terminals and Turkey are in town to discuss budgets with Senior Managers so I take the opportunity to get reacquainted with key characters. They respond favourably to discussions on training and ISO14001 by requesting more information. I am surprised how frequently and seriously S&E issues are discussed within DP World. Thursday evening is the beginning of the weekend in Dubai so I fire off some attachments on CSR issues for the Comms team to approve on Sunday.

Friday

I take the opportunity to finalise and circulate a draft of the Global Standards on waste management. These will complement the Safety Standards and are not as easy as it sounds to prepare. It must clearly present the company’s international-quality expectations while making sure they are as relevant to Canada as to Algeria. Later, I deal with emails requesting information on topics varying from ballast water exchange in Mozambique to the potential for solar energy in new buildings in India and China.

Saturday

The cricket season has finished so I afford myself strategically timed glances at the mobile for missed calls and emails. My wife looks over at me menacingly and suggests I quickly start chewing the Blackberry equivalent of nicotine gum.