Every day is Earth Day
for the Port of Belledune
April 21, 2023 • Andrea Frascione
Director, Marketing and Communications
From port to port, and industry
Although beautiful and dynamic a location as any modern city, this of course isn’t the reason the Port of Belledune team decided to visit Rotterdam. It was in fact, to sign a deal with the largest Port in Europe for a future no one was really prepared for just yet, but is upon us as we near the peak of Earth’s climate crisis. Major steps have to be taken with regards to energy supply, safety and stability and that means exploring new, zero-emitting technologies including the many variations of transporting and storing hydrogen. And what better forum to learn about that tech and make connections with innovators from across the globe than the World Hydrogen Summit.
From port to port, and industry
Prior to the conference, Port of Belledune President and CEO Denis Caron, CAO and General Counsel Jennifer Cleversey Moffitt, and I had the unique opportunity to meet with senior officials from ports both foreign and domestic to discuss issues such as feasibility, sustainability and technological capability pertaining to hydrogen production and export. Led by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, we were also invited to visit the Port of Antwerp-Bruges – Europe’s second largest port – in neighbouring Belgium. Here, they are working diligently on including hydrogen in its new green energy mix. Adjacent CMP Tech group specializes in the conversion of traditional transport truck fuel systems to modern and zero-emitting hydrogen-powered engines. Completely stable and safe, they also boast hydrogen power fueling stations across the region for just such a purpose. The port itself has made major technological advances and is currently working on transitioning its infrastructure to be able to house hydrogen as well.
“The Trudeau government’s 2023 federal budget is backing nuclear power in a big way, unleashing a new $80-billion arsenal of tax changes that also offer incentives for hydropower, critical minerals, hydrogen, carbon capture and renewables.”
Our community
In 2018, the Port of Belledune entered into a historic agreement with First Nations communities, Pabineau, Eel River Bar and Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI) – the organization representing all Mi’gmaq First Nations in the province. The first of its kind in Canada, the Relationship, Engagement and Consultation Protocol ensures a meaningful and ongoing mutual transparency and respect among all parties regarding matters concerning Port activities, adjacent unceded and Crown lands, and the surrounding environment. As equal and contributing joint owners of the Protocol, this initiative supports Section 35 (Aboriginal and Treaty Rights) of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDIP) and upholds the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call-to-Action 92 which addresses industry, the business community and providing First Nations people with equitable access to jobs and education.
In addition to this measure, the Port of Belledune strictly adheres to environmental management systems, is subject to the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and undergoes annual certification by Green Marine, an organization that empowers its members to improve their environmental performance, meeting and often exceeding, regulated standards for air, water and soil quality as well as community relations.
Learn more
Caring for our environment can start with the individual: composting, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint by making greener choices; but it can also stem from local and regional businesses and Federal Government authorities who have the budget, the backing and the breadth of experience to make waves in industry.
So, this Earth Day, the Port of Belledune invites you to have a look at our website and learn more about the green initiatives taking place right in our own backyard! You might be surprised by how forward-thinking and innovative our collective approach can be when communities, businesses and government work together, and we allow ourselves to think big.
News
Report Period: July 202321 September 2023 - 1:24 pm- Report Period: June 202330 June 2023 - 10:13 am
- Annual Report 202216 June 2023 - 1:20 pm
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