The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has recently rolled out the ‘Harit Sagar’ Green Port Guidelines 2023 with an objective to attain the Zero Carbon Emission Goal. The initiative encompasses various facets, including the National Green Hydrogen Mission related to ports, the Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard, and bestowing the Sagar Shreshtha Samman awards to major ports for their remarkable achievements in operational parameters.
Understanding Harit Sagar Guidelines 2023
Harit Sagar is a Sanskrit word meaning “green ocean”. This initiative seeks to make India’s ports more eco-friendly and sustainable. It also encompasses elements of the National Green Hydrogen Mission linked to ports, green hydrogen facility development, LNG bunkering, and Offshore Wind Energy among others. The guidelines propose adopting the universally accepted Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard.
The objective of these guidelines is to encourage the adoption of optimal practices and technologies aimed at green port development and operations. This includes renewable energy, water conservation, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. To minimize waste, the Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle principles will be implemented to achieve zero waste discharge from port operations.
Rating System and Recognition
The guidelines aim to establish a rating system for evaluating and benchmarking the environmental performance of ports based on various indicators and parameters. Ports that reach high standards of environmental excellence and sustainability will be incentivized and recognized. The move facilitates the integration of green port principles into the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of port infrastructure and services.
Aligning with National and Global Goals
These guidelines are aligned with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. They are also in sync with national policies and initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change and the Swachh Bharat Mission. The implementation of these guidelines will enhance India’s image as a responsible maritime nation that cares for its environment and people.
Benefits and Opportunities
The Harit Sagar guidelines can enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of ports by improving their efficiency, reliability, safety, and quality of service. Reducing operational costs and increasing revenue generation potential by optimizing resource use and minimizing waste are among the benefits. They can also improve environmental compliance and mitigate the environmental impact and risks of port activities.
Challenges and Barriers
Challenges and barriers to implementing the guidelines include a lack of awareness and capacity among port stakeholders, dearth of collaboration among different agencies and sectors, insufficient data on environmental aspects of ports, and feeble enforcement and monitoring mechanisms for environmental compliance.
India’s Efforts for Green Port Development
India’s efforts in green port development include initiatives such as the Green Port Awards, Green Port Policy, and Sagarmala Programme. The country is working towards increasing the share of renewable energy in ports, reducing carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled, and adopting green fuels and technologies for port operations. India has been selected as the first country under the IMO Green Voyage 2050 project to conduct a pilot project related to green shipping.
Sagar Shreshtha Samman Award
The Sagar Shreshtha Samman Award is conferred by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to major ports in India for outstanding achievements in various operational parameters. It recognizes ports that demonstrate high standards of environmental excellence and sustainability.
The ‘Harit Sagar’ Green Port Guidelines 2023 are expected to revolutionize the Indian port sector, making it more sustainable and resilient against climatic changes and market conditions, benefiting not just the ports but also the environment and society at large. These guidelines exemplify how India is spearheading green port development and operations.