Decarbonisation Pathways for Medium- and Small-Sized Ports: A Systems Thinking Approach

Abstract Ports are essential to global trade, yet their high volume of ship traffic significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating urgent strategies for climate neutrality. This study focuses on medium-sized ports where climate neutrality has not yet become a priority and explores how they can achieve this through a systems thinking approach and sustainable development practices, referencing leading ports like Rotterdam and Hamburg. Using a combination of systems thinking, comparative case studies, and qualitative analysis, the study examines various decarbonization scenarios for port infrastructure. Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) are utilized to map the interactions among environmental, economic, and operational factors affecting port sustainability. Three scenarios – baseline, moderate transition, and ambitious transition – are developed and evaluated based on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency, infrastructure investment, alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), and resilience enhancement. The findings demonstrate that port operations are influenced by reinforcing and balancing feedback loops, where economic growth and customer satisfaction may face challenges from regulatory pressures and climate-related operational costs. The study highlights essential areas for improvement in achieving climate neutrality in medium-sized ports. Key decarbonization techniques identified include electrification, alternative fuels, renewable energy integration, and enhancements to existing infrastructure like automated mooring systems and onshore power supply. Ultimately, the research provides insights into developing a decarbonization strategy for small and medium-sized ports, fostering sustainable development aligned with the UN SDGs and the European Green Deal.