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Three Reasons to Measure the Carbon Footprint of the Port of Manzanillo

January 25, 2016 por Melissa Barandiaran Leave a Comment


When I think about the climate change scenarios for periods such as 2030-2050 or 2070-2090, they seem so far off that I hardly imagine I’ll even be around then. In this sense, “global warming” as a daily reality doesn’t feel like it affects me very much at all. Nevertheless, this reality does not seem so distant when discussing investments in infrastructure and even less so when discussing port equipment, such as that needed in coastal regions which are much more susceptible and exposed to the effects of rising sea levels, higher temperatures, more frequent rain events and more intense natural disasters.

One of the primary aggravating factors of climate change is the growing number of sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, of which Latin America and the Caribbean contribute 12% globally. The total GHG emissions from a port complex, city or hydroelectric plant, for example, is what is known as its carbon footprint.

IMG_7799IDB has made clear commitments to quantify and reduce GHG emissions associated with the projects it finances in the Region. It recognizes that public and private sectors can play an important role in reducing these emissions by taking early actions and implementing short and medium-term mitigation measures that would have almost immediate effects, and that requires calculating and understanding these emissions. To that end, the IDB grant-financed “Strengthening Port Infrastructure Sustainability in Manzanillo, Mexico” included the design and implementation of a carbon footprint calculator component.

1. Why Manzanillo, Mexico? Manzanillo is the main Mexican port on the Pacific coast, handling 47% of the total container cargo in Mexico. Moreover, it is a key hub for regional traffic between Asia and Latin America, and maintains commercial relations with 14 different countries, therefore occupying a strategic place in Mexican trade. Manzanillo also handles goods to and from 17 Mexican states and its location on the Pacific coast exposes it to more recurrent and intense climate events.

IMG_78052. Why is it important for a port to measure its carbon footprint? In the particular case of the Port of Manzanillo, calculating the carbon footprint has made it possible to process information in order to develop the tools needed by the Port Authority of Manzanillo (APIMAN) and each of the fourteen port terminals to monitor those operational activities that are the sources of emissions: container loading, anchorage, transport of merchandise to customs by railroad or trucks, among others. Identifying areas of improvement is crucial in order to develop strategies that optimize efficiency and provide both financial benefits to the business as well as environmental and social benefits to the entire port community.

3. Why is the IDB interested in measuring a port’s carbon footprint? The IDB has a commitment to climate change with its Integrated Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Sustainable and Renewable Energy, through which it supports Latin American and Caribbean countries in their efforts to assess and analyze their GHG emissions so that they can then implement proper mitigation measures. Moreover, this action is aligned with the objectives of the IDB’s Environment and Safeguards Compliance Policy, in which Directive B11 states that the Bank shall encourage “the reduction and control of greenhouse gas emissions in a manner appropriate to the nature and scale of operations.” Calculating the port’s carbon footprint has also helped achieve more accurate accounting for the project, which is included in the section on the GHG Impact of IDB loans, reported in the Annual Sustainability Report.


Filed Under: Environmental and Social Safeguards

Melissa Barandiaran

Melissa Barandiaran, of Peruvian nationality, is a Senior Environmental Specialist for the Environmental and Social Risk Unit (RMG/ESR) of the Inter-American Development Bank. Melissa currently leads the disaster and climate change risk topic at ESR, where she monitors and supervises portfolio risks related to disasters and climate change. Melissa worked in operations for the Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit for 9 years from where she led the disaster and climate change risk topic. She is co-author of the Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology for IDB Projects, and is part of the Resilience Community of Practice–an interdisciplinary IDB group that works on disasters and climate change risk. Melissa has worked on complex projects based in Haiti, Mexico, Guyana, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and other Latin American countries for the Transport, Energy, Water and Sanitation and Urban and Housing sectors. Melissa has a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Environment and Energy from Columbia University, NY, and has worked for the IDB for more than 11 years. Before working at the IDB, Melissa worked for Peru’s Ministry of Production on public policies related to petrochemicals, renewable energy and biofuels.

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This blog is a space to reflect about the challenges, opportunities and the progress made by Latin American and Caribbean countries on the path towards the region’s sustainable development.

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