Strategic Investment and Decision-Making in Greek Ports: A Socio-Economic Analysis of Seminar Impacts

Limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 deg C-ideally 1.5 deg C-is central to the Paris Agreement; however, recent projections by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggest that current trajectories place the world on course for over 3 deg C of warming by the end of the century. Ports play a critical dual role in this climate crisis. On one hand, they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through port operations, waste management, and worker mobility. On the other, they are highly vulnerable to climate impacts such as sea level rise and changing wave dynamics, which threaten the integrity of infrastructure and disrupt the global flow of goods-80-90% of which pass through ports. This study investigates the effectiveness of a targeted seminar series implemented in 2023 to enhance the understanding of sustainable development principles among Greek port stakeholders, including port authorities, municipal port funds, and marina operators. The seminars aimed to build capacity in areas such as blue growth, green energy, circular economy, and digital transitions. In addition, this research captures stakeholder preferences for climate mitigation and adaptation technological solutions through a DCE. Solutions presented were drawn from the MENA Maritime Accelerator and grouped into five key action areas: circular economy, clean energy production and storage, water quality, and air quality. The findings contribute to assessing both the awareness-raising potential of such training interventions and the prioritisation of climate-resilient innovations in the port sector.