Building a better future
Date: 05/10/2023
Building a better future: sustainability in focus
Each of our actions directly influences communities, the environment, human relationships, or work processes. Every day we walk a path strewn with opportunities to do things more responsibly. If at the personal level we are talking about specific actions, at the organizational level all these steps have behind them a whole system of activities whose magnitude is constantly manifested and converges in sustainability. Environmental requirements have become more and more rigorous, under the conditions of an increasingly urgent need to protect the environment. This trend is natural as commercial and industrial activities can affect the environment. We exercise the same rigor when it comes to protecting the environment and implementing effective safety measures. That is why we are proud of many years of activity without major incidents affecting the environment.
When consumption enters the diet and resource use finds balance
Caring for the environment starts with efficient management of consumption and resources. What we did specifically in this direction: we replaced old equipment with more efficient ones, with lower consumption, sensor-based devices were installed to optimize consumption. In terms of the daily consumption of single-use plastic, we can specify that for 4 years we have changed plastic containers with reusable thermoses; thus, our drivers enjoy their coffee, tea, or lemonade while an eco-friendly aroma floats in the air. Also, to remove waste from the circuit, we have transformed our canteen into a real restaurant, with reusable ceramic plates and impeccable service in the dining room. Now we can say that we have a lunch without plastic packaging and a good appetite for nature as well.
Responsibility with ” R” from recycling
The most important objective - reducing carbon emissions
The number of actions we are taking to reduce carbon emissions has generated this bold approach to the subject - because by acting decisively, we can look with confidence to future initiatives aimed at protecting the environment. Here we list some of them:
• We renewed the fleet of trucks, thus managing to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions by 24% compared to the old fleet. At the same time, this led to a 6% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions.
• By replacing cars with diesel engines used to move personnel inside the terminal with electric cars, the amount of CO2 emissions was reduced by 82% compared to cars with diesel engines and by 0.4% reduction in the absolute amount of CO2 emissions. • Modernizing nine RTG (Rubber Tired Gantry) cranes by replacing old diesel generators with a state-of-the-art type of generator that consumes much less diesel, resulted in a 6% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions compared to the old generators.
• We planted 470 trees in the terminal premises, for an even greater reduction of the carbon footprint.
• We mainly use barges for the transfer of containers from Balta Mare a Brăilei (80%), at the expense of road transport, we manage to reduce carbon emissions by 55%, compared to their transport by trucks.
Our objective is to reduce absolute CO2 emissions by 28% by 2030 compared to 2019.
Our plans for the near future
Now DP World is carrying out several projects that have sustainability in mind. Like anything that must give the expected results, it takes a little time to implement a whole series of measures, even if our desire is to see them put into practice as soon as possible. Thus, in the next period we will focus on a whole series of actions through which we will increase the degree of sustainability:
The most important objective - reducing carbon emissions
The number of actions we are taking to reduce carbon emissions has generated this bold approach to the subject - because by acting decisively, we can look with confidence to future initiatives aimed at protecting the environment. Here we list some of them:
• We renewed the fleet of trucks, thus managing to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions by 24% compared to the old fleet. At the same time, this led to a 6% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions.
• By replacing cars with diesel engines used to move personnel inside the terminal with electric cars, the amount of CO2 emissions was reduced by 82% compared to cars with diesel engines and by 0.4% reduction in the absolute amount of CO2 emissions.
• Modernizing nine RTG (Rubber Tired Gantry) cranes by replacing old diesel generators with a state-of-the-art type of generator that consumes much less diesel, resulted in a 6% reduction in absolute CO2 emissions compared to the old generators.
• We planted 470 trees in the terminal premises, for an even greater reduction of the carbon footprint.
• We mainly use barges for the transfer of containers from Balta Mare a Brăilei (80%), at the expense of road transport, we manage to reduce carbon emissions by 55%, compared to their transport by trucks. Our objective is to reduce absolute CO2 emissions by 28% by 2030 compared to 2019.
Our objective is to reduce absolute CO2 emissions by 28% by 2030 compared to 2019.
Our plans for the near future
Now DP World is carrying out several projects that have sustainability in mind. Like anything that must give the expected results, it takes a little time to implement a whole series of measures, even if our desire is to see them put into practice as soon as possible. Thus, in the next period we will focus on a whole series of actions through which we will increase the degree of sustainability:
• The company's plan to use biodiesel fuel (HVO) instead of the currently used fuel (diesel) will reduce by up to 80% the amount of CO2 generated by internal combustion equipment and by 60% reduction in the amount of absolute CO2;
• Reducing water consumption by 1% by purchasing equipment that has a reduced water consumption, by modernizing the changing rooms and sanitary units with automatic sensors to stop the water;
• Installation of photovoltaic panels in 2024 to generate 100% green electricity with which we will supply the buildings inside the terminal;
• 2% increase in the percentage of electricity from renewable sources, compared to 2022;
• Increasing the amount of waste recovered by 4% compared to 2021. Because much of the waste that ends up in the household waste bin can be recovered and treated properly;
• Implementation of cold ironing processes for ships stationed in the port (connecting them to the electricity grid to save fuel and reduce the carbon footprint).
Greening actions carried out by DP World in Romania
We have a team that we can rely on in our greening actions, as evidenced by the actions carried out on Tuzla beach (in the Eforie Nord area) and on Valea Ariesului, which took place over the course of 6 days, between Câmpeni and Baia de Aries, Alba county.
Tuzla beach Clean-up for World Ocean Day
The greening of wild beaches should concern us all, it is everyone's responsibility to maintain and restore the cleanliness of the waters and cliffs, thus showing our gratitude for the beauties given by nature. The Black Sea coast deserves to be treated as well as the benefits it offers. The volunteering action carried out on the Tuzla beach gave us a sense of fulfillment, and the organization of the whole effort was carried out by Eforie Colorat, whose wonderful members receive our thanks in this way.
ECOMaraton on Valea Ariesului
As a partner of the Ecomarathon organized by IplantToday in Valea Ariesului, we had the pleasure of contributing directly to the greening process and, implicitly, to the protection of nature. About 150 people participated in the event, who collected about 11 tons of waste.
Protecting degraded spaces is an imperative, and for the proper management of large non-productive areas, long-term support of those involved is necessary, both through the lens of sustainable exploitation programs, but also through volunteer actions.
We support communities in their green endeavors
Aiud Green Run is more than a sporting event, it is a way to promote a healthy lifestyle. Marathon participants have the opportunity to test their limits and enjoy running through the forest. We are glad to be able to support this kind of activities that give us the opportunity to connect with people and the environment. Together with Aiud City Hall, we organized this event precisely to bring the community as close to nature as possible. In this way, we combined a beneficial activity with an awareness of the need to carry out as many actions as possible that promote a responsible attitude towards the environment. The start of the race was given near the Aiud Citadel, and the runners enjoyed the landscapes of the "Transalpine de Apuseni".
World Clean-up Day – Eforie Sud Clean Up Action
In accordance with SDG WEEK (Sustainable Development Goals), on September 22nd we organized the second campaign to clean the beach this year, but also the seafront in Eforie Sud, with the support of our volunteer employees and the organization Eforie Colorat, already our friends.
The waste collection process was carried out selectively, being followed until the end of the cycle, at the headquarters of the collecting company, thus ensuring that our involvement has a positive impact on the entire process.
Our actions in Romania are only part of an ongoing initiative, carried out by DP World globally. Our commitments to sustainability and environmental protection are part of a global, coherent strategy, the objective of which is not only to reduce our carbon footprint, but to achieve a beneficial impact on the planet and local communities. In this sense, we use globally recognized ESG indices, as well as the UN Global Compact Principles for Sustainable Oceans, being the first organization to adhere regionally to these principles.