JPAC Advice on the Role of Ports in Fighting Climate Change
Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) submits Advice to the CEC Council, following a public forum on the Role of Ports in Fighting Climate Change.
The CEC Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) recently submitted an Advice to the CEC Council following a Public Forum that took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 1 December 2022.
The Public Forum brought together experts from port authorities, the maritime transportation industry, NGOs, academia and governments to discuss the role of ports in fighting climate change, including climate mitigation, green shipping corridors, zero-emission fuels and supporting infrastructure, and the environmental and social justice dimensions of ports. Attendance for the event exceeded 500 in-person and online participants from across North America and abroad.
JPAC Recommendations
Based on the discussions that took place during the Public Forum, and taking into consideration current global and regional initiatives and commitments, JPAC submitted the following recommendations to the Parties on potential areas for collaboration in North America:
- Create a Permanent CEC Initiative on Ports and Climate Change
JPAC recommends that the Council create a permanent Initiative on Ports and Climate Change and support projects related to the role of ports in responding to climate change and global ecological transition. This could include projects identifying and disseminating best practices on:
- the role of ports in climate mitigation,
- the electrification of port operations and associated freight activities,
- zero-emission fuels,
- operational and energy efficiency measures, and
- meaningful engagement with environmental justice and Indigenous communities in North America.
- Create a North American Ocean-Climate Action Plan
JPAC recommends that the Council support the creation of a North American Ocean-Climate Action Plan to put North America at advantage and support the development of sustainable ports.
- North American Agreement on the Use of Low and Zero-Emission Fuels
JPAC recommends that the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States sign a North American Agreement on the Use of Low and Zero-Emission Fuels, to support the ecological transition and the Parties’ global climate commitments.
Click here to consult the complete Advice.
If you would like to learn more about JPAC and CEC initiatives, you can sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.
About the CEC
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) focuses on strengthening the protection of the environment and fosters sustainable development across North America—for the benefit of all, today and into the future. The CEC facilitates knowledge exchange, develops resources and tools, and promotes inclusive and diverse public engagement. Since its creation in 1994, the CEC has been a unique example of regional collaboration.
The CEC was established by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, a parallel environmental agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As of 2020, the CEC operates in accordance with the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), which entered into force at the same time as the CUSMA/T-MEC/USMCA trade agreement.
Find out more at: www.cec.org