Antwerp wins environment award

Antwerp received the award for its presentation called Creating space for port development by proactive nature management which places importance on nature protection in the long term strategy for port development.

A considerable part of the Antwerp port area is subject to the EU habitats and birds directives – under which terms any loss of habitat due to development must be offset by creating areas with identical ecological value.

The port’s own experience has demonstrated that an ad hoc and disorganised aproach to this costs time and money and frequently causes delays to projects – so several years ago it adopted a planned approach to the issue – it has collaborated with nature societies to create a framework in which ecological requirement goes hand in hand with economic development.

Antwerp published its first sustainability report at the start of 2012, but now a second edition is on its way and work is also progressing on a handy guide for companies on sustainability best practice. Both will be published in October.

This isn’t the first time the port’s sustainability efforts have been recognised. In March this year Antwerp won the prestigious Environmental World Ports Award 2013 in Abu Dhabi – the award recognises a port authority that has made a significant contribution to the environment.