Be a catalyst for change

“HACC successfully brought together the leaders of the various ports along the west coast along with environmental justice leaders and also port grant specialists. With billions of new grant dollars available for ports and new Justice 40 requirements for community benefit activities in these grant applications, HACC brought all the key dance partners needed to help west coast ports continue to "go green." With the start of baseball season in a few days, HACC hit a home run with this event!”

“I was honored to contribute to this dynamic convening and to explore new ways to collaborate around the green energy transition, ocean health, and coastal adaptation within the maritime industry and our Ports. The event underscored the urgent need for sustainable practices, emphasizing zero-emission port operations and fostering trans-Pacific partnerships. As global leaders we need to unite as we embark on a new era of clean energy, resilient transportation, and environmentally conscious growth.”

“Gathering diverse voices from across the sector and region, the workshop emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices within our ports and maritime operations. By fostering collaboration, education, and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of the Blue Economy while safeguarding our oceans for generations to come. It was a pleasure to share space and explore action-oriented methods for advancing the sector, such as Maritime Blue's cluster model, with so many leaders.”

“The Coast Guard has the enduring responsibility to safeguard the Marine Transportation System (MTS) and support the uninterrupted flow of commerce. We work to mitigate risk to critical infrastructure, build resiliency within the MTS, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the uninterrupted flow of cargo. As the impacts of climate change drive mitigation and innovation in the maritime industry, we must balance stewardship, safety, and security to serve as a responsible regulator, necessary to support and enable both traditional and emerging waterways uses to facilitate a safe and resilient maritime environment. In keeping with the Coast Guard’s Climate Framework, I was proud to work with the High Ambition Climate Collective to help guide discussion of future policies that shape climate action, as well as promote cooperation and coordination on climate policy issues and technology development. The Coast Guard has the responsibility to enable industry innovation in response to the quickening pace of change and HACC is the perfect forum in which to participate and lend support of emerging technologies and modernization of the MTS.”

“Our activities, exchanges and outputs were practical, concrete and action oriented. I was extremely impressed with the level of expertise and engagement brought together for HACC.”

“I consider the HACC Ports workshop to be an invaluable experience. Over the course of two days, I deepened my understanding of the intersection between environmental stewardship and economic development within our industry. Engaging with leaders from diverse backgrounds—including the US Coast Guard, fellow port commissioners, engineers, grant writers, clean energy companies, and Blue Economy experts—offered valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. The inaugural convening has left me even more inspired to drive positive change in our industry. My heartfelt appreciation goes to the organizers and fellow participants for fostering a collaborative and impactful environment.”