The process of optimising the sustainability of the Wadden Sea ports is a continual process. One initiative to help achieve this is the Ecoport certification scheme: in order to obtain this globally recognised quality mark, the affiliated sea ports must clearly demonstrate every two years that they have improved their environmental performance (e.g. collecting and reusing waste, saving energy, using clean energy).
Thanks to the focus on sustainability, the Wadden Sea ports are developing into sustainable economic clusters in which the core values of the Wadden Sea World Heritage site are the central focus. Over the coming period, the sea ports will make further investments in sustainability.
The sea port of the future will become a base of operations for a variety of sustainable businesses, such as a sustainable World Heritage fishery. In due course, extra steps will be taken to further facilitate and promote this type of entrepreneurship, such as offering sustainable fuel and on-site power supplies and enabling reuse of raw materials and waste. The Wadden Sea ports will also be an important contributor to sustainable tourism. The nature in and around the ports will be encouraged to blossom, for example, via ecological site management.
Role of the PRW:
Results to be delivered:
- A joint exploratory study into opportunities to make the transition to sustainable Wadden Sea ports will have been completed in 2020.
- By 2021, the Wadden Sea ports will have been facilitated to implement at least two pilots concerning sustainable entrepreneurship.
- A contribution will be made to the Wadden Sea Conference in 2022 regarding trilateral collaboration between the sea ports and nature conservation organisations.
Commissioning parties:
- Provinces in the Wadden Sea region: North Holland, Friesland and Groningen
- Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management
- Natural Wadden Coalition
Follow-up action by:
- Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management
