The Carbon Footprint Calculation conference, organized by the Environmental Working Group of the Port of Barcelona's Port Community, brought together today the main institutional, logistical, and industrial players in Catalonia. The objective was to analyze the current regulatory framework, measurement tools, and to accelerate the decarbonization of the logistics and port sectors, in line with the Port of Barcelona's goals of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2017 and achieving neutrality by 2050.
Calculating emissions is an essential step for companies within the Port Community to understand their carbon footprint and design environmental policies. This allows for the identification of operational efficiency opportunities, cost reductions, and a transition towards more sustainable business models. In a European and global context of increasingly stringent environmental regulations, reducing the carbon footprint has become a key tool for competitiveness.
Ingrid Boqué, Director of Institutional Relations at the Port of Barcelona, emphasized that measuring and reducing emissions is no longer a voluntary commitment but an «indispensable factor for survival and commercial competitiveness» in the global market. Boqué detailed the objectives of the Port of Barcelona's Energy Transition Plan, which involves an investment of 1.7 billion euros for projects such as the Nexigen plan for quay electrification, a large rooftop photovoltaic park, and the promotion of green hydrogen.
The conference was structured into two blocks. The first addressed the regulatory context and public administration plans, with participation from representatives of Club EMAS Catalunya, the Catalan Office for Climate Change, and the Barcelona Energy Agency, who detailed the requirements of the European 'Fit for 55' strategy and the Barcelona Climate Plan.
The second block focused on how the Port and Airport of Barcelona calculate their carbon footprint. Maurici Hervàs, Head of Energy Transition at the Port, and Esther Rodríguez, Head of Environmental Department at the Airport, explained their measurement processes and decarbonization challenges.
The conference concluded with a round table, moderated by Jordi Vila, Head of Environmental Affairs at the Port, where representatives from port companies shared their experiences. They agreed that calculating the carbon footprint not only ensures compliance with legislation but also serves as a diagnostic tool for optimizing operational costs and meeting the demands of clients who increasingly prioritize green logistics routes.
Through this meeting, the Port of Barcelona's Port Community solidifies its position as a coordinated ecosystem and a benchmark for climate resilience and innovation in Europe.
