Eric de Deckere - Port of Antwerp
The Antwerp Port Authority, the Left Bank Corporation (representing the public sector) and Alfaport (representing the private sector) decided to encourage the Antwerp port community to get actively involved in improving the overall sustainable performance of the port.
The Challenge
To set a baseline, it was decided to quantify and qualify the current
states based on a list of indicators and to publish the first sustainability
report for the port of Antwerp. This approach was unique
as it was a sustainability report for the whole port area, not just for the
Port Authority or one specific sector. It was also worked out jointly by both private
and public sectors. One of the objectives of the Port of
Antwerp is to become a world sustainable port for all stakeholders. The baseline
set in the first report should be the trigger to improve sustainable
performance. Therefore, the sustainability vision of the port needs to be
shared by all the stakeholders.
The Approach
The
Port of Antwerp engaged on a stakeholder dialogue process. The stakeholders were involved in the process
at an early stage and their involvement was maintained throughout. Representatives
of companies and the industry, trade unions, local governments, NGOs,
agricultural organizations, transport sectors and institutes involved in
educational programs all participated actively in the process. The expectations
of the stakeholders regarding the sustainability of the port were identified
during a first stakeholder dialogue. The materiality of suggested topics was
analysed and subsequently worked out via indicators used in the report. The
draft version of the report was discussed with the stakeholders during a second
event held for them. After one year the report was published.
To open
the stakeholder involvement to a broader range of independent experts, the port
and Kauri organised a dialogue for all relevant partners. The objective was to
have critical and structural analysis of the first sustainability report by
people/institutes who were not previously involved. It would also receive
suggestions and feedback on how to improve both the reporting systems and sustainable
performance policy the port has in mind.
The Collaborative Advantage
Kauri facilitated the stakeholders’ dialogue by gathering
all the experts in order to discuss twelve sustainability topics. Experts from
the profit and not-for-profit sector with diverse backgrounds (e.g.
environmental, social and financial sectors) were brought together in a 360°
approach designed to tackle all the sustainability challenges.
The collaboration aimed to evaluate the decisions made
during the whole process and come up with a comprehensive sustainability report
for entire region affected. In this, the different entities and sectors, each
responsible for their own CSR policy, would have a joint responsibility for the
overall sustainability performance. In an open debate with the stakeholders,
both the limitations and the challenges were discussed in order to work out a
strategy and set goals.
However, discussing facts and figures among different sectors enables them to set priorities in projects to improve sustainable performance. It also forces sectors to reflect on their own management with regards to specific topics. After all, the biggest challenge is to get all entities in the area actively involved in the process of improvement.
Some of the Results
- Coherent feedback has been given to the Port
of Antwerp on the sustainability vision.
- Showcases the
methodology of cooperation.
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