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The Philippine Ports Authority aims to approve its Green Code by end of the month
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The Port Environment Code, also known as the PPA Green Code, will act as a tool for PPA ports to address current and future environmental challenges while ensuring efficient operations
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The Code establishes a framework for managing environmental performance, complying with regulations, and fostering collaborations
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) aims to approve by end of the month its Green Code, the agency’s guide in achieving green and sustainable ports.
The port environment code (PEC), also known as the PPA Green Code, will act as a tool for PPA ports to address current and future environmental challenges. In particular, the Code establishes a framework for managing environmental performance, complying with regulations, and fostering collaborations.
It is aligned with environmental programs and initiatives under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as environment-related strategies under the Philippine Development Plan.
While PPA in May 2018 issued an Port Environmental Policy through Administrative Order No. 05-2018, which defines the corporate direction of PPA in support of its policy and strategy on environmental protection and preservation, there is no single manner to measure environmental performance of PPA ports, which varies from one port to another. Hence, the proposal for the formulation of the PPA Green Code.
After drafting the PPA Green Code from May 2021 to September 2024, the ports authority this month held several public consultations with stakeholders on the draft.
During the public consultation for the southern Luzon cluster on October 10, PPA said the target is for the code to be approved by the PPA Board by end of the month.
According to the draft, the Green Code will “serve as a comprehensive framework guided by the principles of the Green, Resilient, and Smart Port Strategy, and is designed in a way that prioritizes the importance of both environmental considerations and economic growth for ports. Rather than prescribing rigid environmental priorities, it will provide a pragmatic and flexible approach that empowers ports to find the right balance based on their unique circumstances and stakeholder needs.”
The Code will apply to port authorities (PPA port management offices, terminal management offices), port entities (terminal and cargo-handling operators), and local government units directly managing and operating ports under PPA jurisdiction.
The Green Code focuses on four key elements:
- Leadership – Establishing clear environmental policies, objectives, and systems and ensuring their implementation and continuous improvement.
- Compliance – Ensuring adherence to international and national environmental laws, rules, and regulations.
- Collaboration and care – Fostering sustainable port ecosystems through stakeholder engagement, partnerships and environmental management systems.
- Continual improvement – recognizing and promoting exemplary port environmental performance, adopting best practices, and encouraging innovation.
- It will operate on a five-cycle framework of plan, do, check, echo, and act for managing and improving the environmental performance of the port organization.
The Code includes policies, rules, and regulations on the following:
- water quality management (guidelines on ship waste management, port water and waste water management, ballast water management, and impact management of ancillary services)
- air emissions and ambient air quality
- integrated port waste management
- dredging management
- sustainable infrastructure development
- human resource management
- contract management
- environmental disaster management and risk reduction
- resource conservation
- climate change action
- noise pollution control and management
- sustainable procurement
- energy consumption, conservation, and efficiency management
- environmental volunteerism and awareness, and
- environmental performance evaluation
PPA described the Green Code as a “living document that will continue to evolve as the maritime industry adopts new technologies and best practices.”
PPA said it will work with stakeholders to ensure the Code remains a relevant and effective tool for promoting sustainable practices in Philippine ports.
