Peter Black

Feb. 21, 2024

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Peterblack@qctonline.com 

The Port of Quebec is already one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet; now it has been recognized as among the most environmentally sustainable.

Last week, the port announced it had received the Biosphere certification from the Responsible Tourism Institute of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which promotes environmentally responsible tourism.

According to the GSTC website, the organization was formed in 2007 “as a coalition of 32 partners, initiated by the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).”

The organization’s purpose is to “foster increased understanding of sustainable tourism practices and the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles.”

The GSTC certification comes three years after the federal government’s termination of the Port of Quebec’s ambitious plan to develop a massive container ship terminal, called Laurentia, in the Baie de Beauport area, following a highly critical environmental review.

The distinction is shared by the city’s tourism agency, Destination Québec cité, which itself became a member of GSTC just last year.

According to a Feb. 14 news release from the port, “For over 25 years, the Biosphere program has helped destinations, businesses and organizations define, organize and make visible their sustainable goals. It offers a model for developing a sustainable development plan in a personalized way, including an annual evaluation process and external audits to measure progress.”

In the release, Biosphere Canadian director Brent Mainprize saluted the fact Quebec City is the first city in the Americas to attain certification. “Their steadfast dedication to embracing sustainable maritime practices sets an inspiring precedent for the industry,” he said.

Port CEO Mario Girard said, “Obtaining this certification was a priority for us, as it is perfectly in line with our 2035 Vision, for which one of the major pillars is to commit to a more sustainable world.”

The certification comes as the port pursues its plan to transition to “shore power” which involves providing electrical connections to the cruise ships that visit the city’s harbour and rely on mostly fossil fuel to sustain ship systems while in port. 

Port officials say they will “submit a shore power project for cruises by the end of this month. The project’s realization will make it possible to accommodate several dozen ships as soon as 2027.”

The plan will “contribute to the positioning of the Canada – New England itinerary as one of the most advanced regions in terms of sustainable development.”

Port spokesperson Fréderic Lagacé listed in an email to the QCT some examples of actions the authority has taken to promote environmental values. “Our biodiversity conservation projects as part of the St. Lawrence Action Fund. 

“This partnership is intended to finance projects encouraging the conservation and development of ecosystems in port areas. The five-year agreement provides for an investment of $350,000, half of which will come from the Port of Quebec.”

The port is celebrating what it calls a “good year” in 2023, with an increase in transhipped goods at a total of 27.9 million tonnes. On the environmental front, the port established a working group last year aimed at “developing the port territory biodiversity and ecosystems,” in co-ordination with the Ville de Québec, the Capitale-Nationale regional environment council, the Huron-Wendat Nation and several other representatives of expert organizations.”

The port boasted, in an end-of-year statement, “a cruise season reflecting the efforts made toward responsibly and sustainably developing the industry: 154,000 passengers, 28 companies and 41 different ships completing 131 stopovers. These efforts earned Québec City Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine’s award for best cruise destination in Canada/New England.”

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The Port of Quebec is planning to provide electric “shore power” to ships visiting the harbour, starting in 2027.

Image from Port of Quebe