The CESAPO project has made great progress in understanding and addressing air pollution in the port-cities of Patras in Greece and Brindisi in Italy.
- 24 June 2015
The project is based on the common need of both port cities to better understand air pollution by taking a high-tech and integrated approach, combining experimental data with advanced numerical model simulations. It is especially important for cooperation with the maritime transport sector since 95 % of particulate matter emissions from ships are harmful to humans.
Common protocols
Common protocols for assessing air pollution in port cities were defined and applied. A methodology for modelling air pollution and its sources was then adopted. The project partners also created a new governance model, which is based on the accurate control of air pollution as a driver for strategic governance choices in both port cities.
As part of the project, a mobile air quality monitoring station was set up. Staff were then trained on how to operate this new station. Various inventory databases, assessment reports and a good practice guide with proposed actions for sustainable development at both port-cities were also produced. Finally, the partners produced various papers which were submitted to international peer-reviewed journals.
Over the course of the project, there was also a marked improvement in cooperation between the Greek and Italian partners, with both sides working together for less secondary pollution at their respective ports.
Blueprint for other ports
The monitoring practices introduced during CESAPO can be transposed to other regions as the tools used are essentially the same. The findings and deliverables of CESAPO are therefore generic and can be applied to other port cities.
The project partners comprised research institutes who carried out the scientific work and environmental policy authorities who used the scientific outcomes to improve the governance and policy capacity in their respective port city.
Port cities attract several human activities that contribute to economic development but at the same are significant sources of pollution. Studies on the impact of ports' emissions on the environment have traditionally been limited, making CESAPO's findings particularly relevant.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project extension of the “CESAPO” project is EUR 816 250 of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 612 187 from the Operational Programme Greece-Italy for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.