Measurement of the Ecological and Carbon Footprint in Port Authorities

Abstract

One of the tools used to determine and measure corporate sustainability is the corporate ecological footprint (CEF). CEF is useful both to understand the impact of human activities on the ecosystem and to provide the correcting measures necessary to minimize the impact produced. This impact, measured in hectares, can be transformed, so it is possible to obtain the amount in emitted carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent tons for a corporate carbon footprint (CCF). Knowing the CCF allows enterprises to be compliant with the measures necessary to mitigate climate change. In this study, the main comparative results of the calculation of the CEF and the CCF, together with other ecoefficiency indicators, are presented for two port authorities located in the Spanish North Coastline. For the calculation of the tons of CO2 emitted by the ports authorities, the composed method of financial accounts was used.