The Port of San Diego has received a Climate Leadership Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for its efforts to address climate change.

The award, for Organizational Leadership, was announced on Thursday, February 28, 2013 and presented at the Climate Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The Port of San Diego is only one of four local governments nationwide to be recognized by the EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership.

The Port has demonstrated leadership in managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in internal operations and throughout the supply chain, as well as integrating climate resilience into their operating strategies.

“It is an honor for our Green Port program to receive this national recognition,” said Ann Moore, Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “In addition to focusing on what we can do as environmental stewards, the Port is collaborating with other agencies in the region and the state, as well as our tenants.”

“The Climate Leadership Award winners are setting the bar even higher with their outstanding actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment and threaten the public’s health,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

Among the Port’s award-winning initiatives are:

•  Green Business Network: Port waterfront businesses learn and share sustainable business practices

•  Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy for San Diego Bay: The Port is a co-chair of this effort, which has won an award from both the San Diego and California chapters of the American Planning Association.

•  Alliance of Regional Collaborations for Climate Adaptation: The Port is regional representative in this statewide effort with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

•  San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative: The Port is leading this effort to gain recognition of regional climate leadership and share resources among local governments

•  Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories of Port operated areas and facilities: Port facilities have reduced their GHG emissions by 15% since 2008

•  Green Port Program: The Board of Port Commissioners approved a Green Port Policy in 2008

•  Collaboration: Port staff regularly collaborates with other ports, the local utility (SDG&E), other local jurisdictions and member cities, and in statewide climate planning efforts