Héctor Calls: “The sustainability objectives set for 2030 imply changes in the port model”

INTERVIEW WITH THE HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AT THE PORT OF BARCELONA

Héctor Calls has more than twenty years experience in environmental consultancy and prospecting in the maritime and port sectors, as well as in hydrographic prospecting, geophysics, oceanography and maritime engineering and knowledge in the use of cutting-edge technologies in national and international projects. 

A graduate in Marine Sciences, he holds a Master's degree in Port Engineering and Management with a major in Port Dredging. In conversation with PierNext, the new Head of Environmental Sustainability at the Port of Barcelona talks about the challenges, responsibilities and current environmental and energy issues. He proves to have the necessary positivity to implement measures which will generate an impact beyond the port facilities.

You are taking up a position that is also new for the Port of Barcelona. Does this show that decarbonisation must be a priority for ports?

Yes, it does. It is a question of strengthening the environment department to include these new needs and responsibilities. The Port of Barcelona, and the port and maritime sector as a whole, must move towards decarbonisation. To achieve this major objective, new lines of action are needed, including, for example, the electrification of the docks, the implementation of renewable energies, and the promotion of alternative fuels. The aim is to reinforce sustainability in a more cross-cutting manner in all departments of the Port of Barcelona.

What are your short-term environmental and energy priorities?

From the environmental point of view, the department deals with the whole issue of atmospheric quality, water quality, biodiversity associated with the Port, waste and energy, as well as safety and operational issues that may affect the environment. On the other hand, there is the whole issue of the implementation of renewable energies, of seeking alternative ways towards decarbonisation, and the reduction of pollutant emissions.

The Port of Barcelona currently has 23 environmental projects underway, ranging from the implementation of smart grid system to make rail the main means of transport. Which projects would you highlight as priorities in order to get closer to the goal of being an emission-free port?

All the vectors are important. Perhaps there are some which are recurrent and which, despite not being so visible, have been working well for a long time, such as air or water quality issues. From my point of view, the highest priorities are those related to the implementation of renewables. The issue of electrification is already well underway and the second part of this energy transition plan is its implementation.

In order to meet the objective set by the European Union for 2030, which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, we need to prioritize these major projects. And this means that everyone at the Port needs to be involved. It also means that we need to change the model, as it is not just a question of implementing small actions. 

This is reflected in the Port of Barcelona's 4th Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

That's right. The Strategic Plan is based on three fundamental axes: social sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. If we focus on environmental sustainability, although it is not unrelated to the other two, these are projects that will enable us to be a more environmentally sustainable port. If the Port and other institutions leading the country do not achieve these objectives, we will not be able to achieve them as a whole.

Do you think it is feasible to achieve these objectives by 2030?

Yes. Recently, the President Damià Calvet and Ana Arévalo, our Head of Energy Transition, presented the project for the smart grid system, which has different milestones. A very clear one is 2030, the date set for implementing this emission reduction. There is also the European directive that asks ports to have the infrastructures ready for that year.

Electrification will produce an overall reduction in the Port's emissions of between 20 and 25% by allowing ships to plug-in when they are at sea. How can we reduce the next 20-25% by 2030? By implementing renewable energies; photovoltaics, hydrogen plants, biofuels or a biogas plant using waste.