Sustainable development integrating the protection of natural environments
In April 2009, the Board of Trustees of Dunkerque-Port approved a strategic development plan which will mean a doubling of investments over the next five years, in an amount of 368 million Euros, confirming the ambitions of the State and a provisional goal of approximately 70 million tonnes of traffic annually in the medium term.
Dunkerque-Port's strategic plan also forms part of a policy of sustainable development and action, identifying the vocation of the various areas of the port and particularly those which may affect environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity.
Sustainable Development and Action Plan
In June 2009 the port decided to draw up a sustainable development and action plan (PA2D) which will involve four successive stages:
1. A diagnosis presenting, clearly and objectively, the situation of sustainable development on its territory, including a mapping atlas;
2. Identification of the environmental and sustainable development issues at stake, and definition of the basic guidelines by the Board of Trustees;
3. Drafting of the first operational measures and orientation of decisions on the actions of the strategic plan in the context of a prospective approach;
4. Setting out the basic guidelines of the PA2D in a complete project which will undergo socio-economic analysis in line with national directives.
The approval of the Board of Trustees and the supervisory authorities will then be required for Dunkerque-Port to adopt the PA2D, after the document has been validated by the National Council for the Protection of Nature.
Reflection on the implementation of the PA2D now addresses five topics:Topic 1: Combating climate change, energy, industryTopic 2: Urban dynamics, management of water, biodiversity, the natural environments and landscapesTopic 3: Prevention of natural, technological and health risksTopic 4: TransportTopic 5: Local governance
This approach is based, among other things, on a Natural Heritage Master Plan (SDPN) which is currently being drawn up, and on the shared management of the natural environments, in order to have a decision-making tool for future action in order to present the port's customers with model areas for economic development, incorporating all aspects of sustainable development.
In the context of its sustainable development and action plan, Dunkerque-Port is committed to managing its natural areas alongside many partners whose aim is to preserve and manage the diversity of landscapes, habitats and species.
Partner entities include the Nord General Council, the Coastal Protection Board (Conservatoire du littoral), the Bailleul National Botanical Conservatory, Dunkirk Urban Community, the Flanders-Dunkirk Region Town Planning and Development Agency, the Regional Department for the Environment, Development and Housing, and environmental protection associations.
For more information, you can download the nature in port document by clicking here