Kenya Ports Authority wins global sustainability award in Japan
The project topped in the Environmental Care category after beating two other finalists from the record-breaking pool of global submissions.
A conservation project by the Kenya Ports Authority has won this year's International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Sustainability Awards, held in Kobe, Japan.
The project, dubbed "Mangrove Restoration for Ocean Protection and increased forest cover project," that seeks to rehabilitate degraded mangroves in the coastal region, emerged as a winner alongside two other projects from Ghana and Benin out of the 516 projects submitted for the awards.
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The project topped in the Environmental Care category after beating two other finalists from the record-breaking pool of global submissions.
Speaking after receiving the award, KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, said the award was a great honour for the authority and a significant recognition for its responsibility as a guardian of the environment.
"Our Mangrove Restoration for Ocean Protection project is far more than just growing mangroves- it is about survival and livelihoods. We have witnessed the immense benefits, which include revived fish stocks and new economic opportunities for our communities, with men and women engaged in sustainable ventures like seaweed and fish farming," he said.
This comes after a meticulous judging process by IAPH's independent jury of industry experts and KPA's well-calculated public vote campaign to galvanise support for the project.
Captain Ruto reiterated KPA's resolve to transform ports into eco-friendly hubs that power the economic growth of East Africa and the entire continent through the implementation of the Green Ports Policy alongside the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On Thursday, KPA said the award recognises its innovative collaboration with coastal communities to restore degraded forest ecosystems.
"Mangrove Restoration for Ocean Protection impressed the judges after demonstrating how ports' collaboration with local communities and other government agencies can help empower communities and support the conservation of the environment and marine biodiversity for sustainable port operations," the authority noted.
Under the programme, KPA works closely with communities in the coastal region to rehabilitate the degraded mangroves, resulting in expanded mangrove cover and a healthier coastal ecosystem, creating ideal conditions for fish breeding, leading to an increase in lobsters and prawns, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic well-being of the communities.
"The initiative forms a key pillar of the Green Ports Policy, a strategic blueprint adopted by the Authority to advance and implement sustainable port management. The policy, which is a strategic framework for eco-conscious port operations, aligns Kenya's maritime sector with international climate commitments, ensuring economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental health," KPA adds.
The authority also contributes towards environmental conservation via transition to renewable energy sources, modernisation of port infrastructure with green technology, cutting carbon emissions through innovative solutions, and the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
IAPH runs the World Ports Sustainability Programme that enhances and coordinates future sustainability efforts of ports worldwide and fosters international cooperation with partners in the supply chain.
Projects under the programme demonstrate efforts by ports worldwide on best practices of ports applying the UN SDGs and integrating them into their businesses.
They are categorised into the areas of digitalisation, infrastructure, health, safety and security, community building, climate and energy, and environmental care.
In 2019, the authority's Tunahusika Corporate Social Investment (CSI) project emerged as the winner of IAPH Sustainability in the Community Building category.
Other winners in this year's awards included two ports from the Republic of Korea, a Japanese port, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.
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