Trends and challenges in environmental sustainability practices across European ports

European ports are playing an increasingly strategic role in advancing environmental sustainability, driven by regulatory pressure, climate imperatives, and stakeholder expectations. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the 2024 Self-Diagnosis Method (SDM) survey, which benchmarks the environmental performance of 83 ports across 21 European countries. The study highlights key progress areas, including the widespread adoption of environmental policy, identification of Significant Environmental Aspects (SEAs), definition of objectives and targets, and monitoring practices related to energy efficiency and waste management. It also examines emerging priorities such as climate adaptation, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of green technologies like Onshore Power Supply (OPS) and alternative fuels. While notable improvements have been made, the findings also reveal persistent challenges, particularly in sustainability reporting, biodiversity monitoring, and the provision of environmental training program for port employees. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of current trends, identifies areas where further improvement is needed, and offers insights into how European ports can align with broader climate and sustainability goals.