Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) has become the first port in South America to obtain carbon-neutral certification following its efforts to implement sustainability initiatives and incorporate technologies that reduce its operational impact.
The Ecuador Ministry of Environment and environmental ratings agency, Sambito SA issued the certification marking CGSA’s compliance to ISO 14064-1 standards.
José Antonio Contreras, chief executive officer of CGSA, ICTSI’s largest concession in Latin America, said: “This carbon neutral certification awarded to Contecon Guayaquil is a testament of our firm and unbreakable commitment to preserve the environment in our own way.
“This certification highlights, above all, a conviction and responsibility to guarantee eco-friendly and sustainable operations with less contaminating to the environment. This is our contribution for a better world.”
Ongoing measures
CGSA, as part of its continuing compliance, has set-up a team to verify and create mechanisms to lower the port’s industrial emissions.
It also sponsored the preservation of 14,600 hectares of natural areas in Ecuador: 10,000 hectares of mangrove forests and 4,600 hectares of native forests -- as part of mitigating efforts to reduce carbon emissions from port equipment and to help in the conservation of the country’s large tracts of intact natural forests.
Anders Kjeldsen, ICTSI senior vice president and regional head of the Americas, stated: “CGSA’s recent achievement underscores the Group’s proactive efforts towards minimizing the impact of port operations towards hinterland communities.”
In 2010, the CGSA received an Honourable Mention in Guayaquil’s Eco-efficiency awards. In 2015, the national government, through its Ministry of Environment, awarded CGSA the Ecuadorian Environmental Certification for being an “eco-efficient” company.
