By Yemi Olakitan
Green shipping in Africa is a crucial endeavor for sustainable maritime transportation in Africa, considering the impacts of global warming and climate change. It remains an important area for African leaders to focus on and work hard to achieve greener shipping practices in Africa.
Traveling by sea is an unavoidable means of transportation in Africa considering the abundant water resources that are available on the continent. This can play a central role in global decarbonization efforts for maritime transport.
Africa can achieve eco-friendly ports by embracing the energy transition, which involves moving away from fossil fuels towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
To become eco-friendly, African ports can adopt several strategies. Firstly, they can increase their revenue by importing and exporting renewable energy sources, create new jobs in the renewable energy industry, and improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Secondly, ports can provide infrastructure for the storage and transportation of renewable energy. Thirdly, they can adopt energy-efficient technologies to reduce their own emissions.
However, there are challenges to navigating the energy transition, including the high cost of renewable energy technologies, the variability of renewable energy sources, and the need for government support and policies.
Funding agencies such as Agence Française de Développement (AFD) can play an important role by supporting initiatives that reduce energy consumption or enhance the living and working environment around the port.
In addition, ports can incorporate ecological principles at the design stage to avoid undue impact on marine and estuarine systems.
They can also design multifunctional, multi-use ports that not only focus on moving cargos and ships but also service the needs of the wider coastal community, including fisheries, recreation, and people’s safety.
Existing ports can also become more sustainable by incorporating ecological design principles for wider use and benefit. For example, they can retrofit existing infrastructure like quay walls to be more biologically productive and ecologically meaningful.
Overall, achieving eco-friendly ports in Africa requires a shift towards sustainable development that prioritizes environmental considerations alongside economic and social factors.
This approach can help create ports that not only meet the needs of the global economy but also coexist with natural and social systems, ensuring the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources for future generations.