Green Transitions in Port of Aalborg

“Green Transitions in Port of Aalborg” is a strategic initiative between Port of Aalborg and Aalborg University Business School. Along the research-practice continuum, the initiative has a dual purpose of (i) generating new and innovative knowledge on green transitions and (ii) developing actionable ideas, concrete suggestions, and strategic insights to enhance and qualify Port of Aalborg’s efforts into their green transition. Beyond that, the collaboration aims to help advancing the green transition across Greater Aalborg through facilitating knowledge sharing and development—that is, engaging in fruitful co-creation—between Aalborg University and the Port of Aalborg.

The strategic initiative includes several projects. These are organized into three main themes, comprising green finance & accounting, hub & infrastructure, and artificial intelligence & regional development.

The first theme, green finance & accounting, takes an internal perspective that focuses on the inside development of Port of Aalborg. Specific topics include ‘green finance’ (i.e., an analysis of the relationship between green initiatives and the cost of capital) and ‘integrated management control and environmental accounting’ (i.e., development of a governance framework to support Port of Aalborg’s green transition).

The second theme, hub & infrastructure, takes an external perspective that concentrates on the Port of Aalborg’s external environment. Specific topics comprise ‘eco-nexus of the port’ (i.e., an analysis on the strategic sustainability of the Port of Aalborg as an infrastructure hub), ‘foresight in maritime business networks’ (i.e., systematic mapping of the port’s stakeholder), and ‘data compilation and exploration’ (i.e., effort to structure available data streams and gain first data-driven exploratory insights).

The third theme, artificial intelligence & regional development, moves beyond the port as focal unit of attention and widens the perspective on the region of Greater Aalborg. Specific topics include ‘new business cycle barometer’ (i.e., an analysis to identify growing industries, technologies, and trends in relation to green transition) and ‘green innovations ecosystems–PtX and new green diversification possibilities (i.e., a quantitative analysis of regional available skills and competences in relation to green innovation ecosystems).

Aside from the practice and research-oriented insights, the initiative’s positioning at the intersection of academia and practice, also supports problem-based learning—Aalborg University’s signature teaching approach—that enables students to bridge theory with real-world application.

“Green Transitions in Port of Aalborg” is a collaboration between the Port of Aalborg and Aalborg University Business School. Both organizations share from different angles—practice and research—the interest in green transitions; that is, how business operations and strategies can be designed such that they ensure an ecologically sustainable economy. As business operations vary widely, this strategic initiative comprises three main foci, looking at business operations within the port, at how the port interacts with its external environment, and at the port as one player in the broader regional environment (i.e., Greater Aalborg), always through the lens of identifying and solving problems in relation to green transitions.