Gearbulk ESG Report 2023 - Report - Page 33
ESG REPORT 2023
OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO MANAGE THE IMPACT
Gearbulk adopts a holistic strategy in addressing both the
negative and potential impacts on biodiversity, acknowledging their profound signi昀椀cance to the economy, environment, and human rights. The Company meticulously
evaluates its operations and partnerships to identify any
adverse e昀昀ects on biodiversity, ensuring adherence to
regulations and ethical standards.
With robust policies in place, Gearbulk emphasizes the
preservation and protection of natural ecosystems,
employing proactive measures like sustainable practices and habitat preservation to mitigate negative
impacts. In instances of actual harm, Gearbulk takes
swift action, collaborating with authorities to restore
a昀昀ected ecosystems. Moreover, the Company actively
promotes positive impacts by investing in conservation
e昀昀orts and biodiversity restoration projects. Rigorous
monitoring processes track the e昀昀ectiveness of these
actions, facilitating continual improvement in biodiversity management. Engaging with stakeholders ensures
alignment with expectations and e昀昀ective addressing
of biodiversity concerns, reinforcing Gearbulk’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
In terms of preventing invasive species in ballast water,
Gearbulk demonstrates a proactive stance by adhering
to global conventions for pest control. Signi昀椀cant strides
have been made in implementing ballast water treatment systems across the 昀氀eet to minimise the potential
transfer of invasive species across ecosystems. Gearbulk’s
POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS
commitment to meeting the requirements of the Ballast
Shipping operations can exert substantial
Water Management Convention by 2024 underscores its
pressure on biodiversity through various
dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable
means, including ballast water discharge,
shipping practices.
underwater noise pollution, and the risk
of oil spills. Ballast water, often taken on
Furthermore, Gearbulk prioritises the protection of
in one location and released in another,
whales and ocean habitats, particularly in environmen-
can introduce invasive species to new
tally sensitive marine areas. Vessels comply with manda-
ecosystems, disrupting local biodiversity
tory speed reduction schemes and voluntarily implement
and ecological balances. Additionally,
additional measures to minimise the risk of whale strikes
underwater noise from shipping activities
and disturbance during breeding seasons. Digital naviga-
can interfere with marine life, particularly
tional tools are utilised to avoid protected areas, ensuring
marine mammals that rely on sound for
compliance with regulations and fostering responsible
communication and navigation.
marine practices.
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