HARIT SAGAR: THE GREEN PORT GUIDELINES 2023

Latest Context

To reach the Zero Carbon Emission Goal, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has launched the "Harit Sagar" Green Port Guidelines 2023.

• Major ports received Sagar Shreshtha Samman awards as well for their outstanding performance in several operational aspects.

Highlights of the Harit Sagar Guidelines 2023

• The Sanskrit word for “green ocean” is Harit Sagar. It represents the goal of making India’s ports more sustainable and environment friendly.
• Aspects of the National Green Hydrogen Mission related to ports, the construction of green hydrogen facilities, LNG bunkering, and offshore wind energy are also covered.
• The Global Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard may also be adopted under these criteria.
• Objectives: To encourage the use of cutting-edge techniques and tools for environmentally friendly port construction and management, including those that support renewable energy, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and climate resilience.

•  To achieve zero waste discharge from port operations by reducing waste via Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycling.
• Create a rating system based on multiple parameters and indicators for evaluating and benchmarking port environmental performance.
• To reward and encourage ports that attain high standards of sustainability and environmental excellence.
• To make it easier to incorporate green port concepts into port infrastructure and service planning, design, building, operation, and maintenance.

 

• Significance: They support India's commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, as well as government policies and programmes including the Swachh Bharat Mission and the government Action Plan on Climate Change.

• They are expected to improve India's image and repute as a maritime power that respects both its people and the environment.
• They are expected to create new opportunities for innovation, funding, employment, and cooperation in the port industry.

• Benefits: Enhancing ports' effectiveness, dependability, safety, and quality of service in order to increase their attractiveness and competitiveness.

• Enhancing the environmental compliance.
• Increasing the capacity of ports to generate revenue while decreasing operational expenses by making the most use of available resources and cutting down on waste.
• Minimising the negative effects and risk of port activities on the environment by cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, water pollution, and marine litter.
• Facilitating the shift to a low-carbon and circular economy, so helping to achieve the national and international goals of sustainable development and climate action.

What are the Obstacles and Challenges to Implementation?

• Lack of awareness and capacity among port stakeholders.
• Lack of cooperation and coordination among various organisations and sectors.
• Inadequate information and data on port environmental concerns.
• Inadequate systems for monitoring and enforcing environmental compliance.

India’s Steps for Green Port Development

• Initiatives: Green Port Awards, Green Port Policy, and Sagarmala Programme.
• Setting Targets: Ports should use more renewable energy, emit less carbon dioxide per tonne of handled goods, and use greener technology and fuels.
• Selection as Pilot Country: India was chosen as the first nation to carry out a green shipping pilot project as part of the IMO Green Voyage 2050 project.

Sagar Shreshtha Samman Award

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways bestows the Sagar Shreshtha Samman Award on important ports in India for their exceptional performance in key operational aspects.
• Ports that exhibit high levels of environmental excellence and sustainability are recognised with this award.
• The awards for FY2022-23 are:

Conclusion

• The Harit Sagar guidelines are a visionary effort that will improve the Indian port industry and strengthen its sustainability and adaptability to rapidly shifting market and environmental conditions.
• The guidelines will be advantageous for the environment, society, and ports alike.
• They will also improve India's image and repute as a maritime power that respects both its people and the environment. India is setting the bar high when it comes to developing and operating environmentally friendly ports, as seen by the Harit Sagar standards.

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