Transforming ports for a low-carbon future: Nexus modeling of hydrogen infrastructure, employment, and resource management in contrasting climates

Abstract

This research study highlights a transformative approach to port development for a low-carbon future by integrating Climate, Land, Energy, and Water Systems (CLEWs) and Water-Energy-Food (WEF) frameworks. The proposed nexus model integrates the hydrogen infrastructure with green employment and resource management in contrasting climates. The scenarios analyzed include Business As Usual (BAU), Balanced Reduction Approach (BRA), and Maximal Sustainability Push (MSP), which focuses mainly on energy efficiency, resource utilization, and workforce sustainability. By BRA, it is estimated that carbon emissions will decline by 30% in cold climates and 20% in warm climates without changing renewable power plants producing 45% and 30% of the electricity supply mix. In the MSP scenario, emission reductions rise to 90% in cold and 40% in warm climates, with renewables providing 62% and 40% of the electricity mix. Under the whole capacity of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and fish waste under anaerobic digestion and fish waste rendering by 2040, across all BRA and MSP scenarios. In transport, 44% replacement of marine vehicles and 87% of land vehicles with hydrogen, electric, and carbon capture and storage (CCS)-equipped vehicles is made under the BRA scenario. These percentages increase to 100% under the MSP scenario in cold climates, while remaining at 87% in warm climates. By this integrated framework, the present study demonstrates the potential of ports to be powerful engines for sustainable economic growth, optimized resource efficiency, and the creation of resilient green employment systems in diverse environmental contexts.