1. Port management has implications for both economic growth and environmental protection. The efficiency of a port directly affects the economies of the countries it serves, since more than 80% of global trade is carried by sea. The percentage is even higher for many developing countries. While ports are vital for economic development, the associated maritime traffic, handling of goods, and road and rail transport take a toll on the environment. This is caused by fuel-powered cargo handling equipment, ships, trucks, trains, and the electricity needed to run port operations. Reducing port emissions would cut air and water pollution and improve the health of over 3.5 billion people while helping curb climate change, according to UNCTAD.
   
   
2. Port greening and decarbonization are part of the global sustainability agenda.  Ports in Asia and the Pacific need to work together to achieve the long-term goal of decarbonization for climate change mitigation. One of the key outputs of Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Technical Assistance program, "Promoting Innovations in Regional Cooperation and Integration in the Aftermath of COVID-19,” aims to support ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) to address this maritime challenge.
   
   
3. A study on the feasibility of developing a regional fund for port greening and decarbonization has been conducted, including (i) identifying and understanding the constraints and difficulties that DMCs are facing in green port development; and (ii) assessing the potential investment opportunities and needs for port greening and decarbonization.
   
   
4. Regional knowledge sharing and policy dialogue are very important for the development of ADB’s DMCs. As the technical support team of the Workshop, the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center (hereinafter referred to as the GSTIKC) is a bureau-level affiliation of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. It will serve as an important platform to put into practice the vision of staying connected with the world and keeping abreast of the times. It is committed to implementing Global Development Initiative and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The GSTIKC aims to be a think tank, a platform of cooperation, and a model of people-to-people exchange to promote sustainable transport and sustainable development.

This hybrid workshop on port greening and decarbonization in Asia and the Pacific, together with field visits to Port of Shanghai, will provide an opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices on port greening and decarbonization with and among ADB’s DMCs. The workshop aims to: