Environmental

RegenPorts

RegenPorts is a Blue Economy programme promoted by the Port Authority of Barcelona through the BCN Port Innovation Foundation, designed to renaturalise anthropised marine environments by driving the evolution of ports towards the integration of nature.

The programme structures collaboration between public institutions, the scientific community and the private sector to mobilise investment in marine regeneration interventions, deploying solutions that restore natural capital, enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem services.

Type of innovation: Disruptive
Program status: In progress

Parties involved

Associates

Sustainable Development Goals

ODS

(Sustainable Development Goals)

ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1 ODS 1

Context and background

Traditional port activity has generated — and continues to generate — alterations in the natural environment, with impacts on natural capital. In recent years, efforts have intensified, mainly focusing on reducing and controlling environmental pressures associated with port operations.

Today, however, the need for change goes one step further: moving from mitigation towards the restoration of marine ecosystems.

This approach responds to an increasingly well-defined global and European policy framework (Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework COP15, EU Nature Restoration Regulation), with clear and measurable objectives. In parallel, growing requirements for corporate traceability and reporting (such as CSRD or Omnibus) and standards linked to biodiversity and natural capital (including ISO 17298:2025 and ISO 17620:2025) demand comparable methodologies and verifiable results.

A framework to channel private investment into regeneration

Within this context, the programme aligns with international regulations and standards and opens a pathway for companies to channel investment into marine regeneration in an efficient, traceable manner aligned with their sustainability objectives.

The programme integrates:

  • Previously validated innovative technologies
  • A clear and structured operational framework
  • A system for valuation and monetisation of results, enabling regeneration to be scaled and natural capital to be reinforced in port environments, with guarantees of monitoring and transparency

What RegenPorts offers to the private sector?

RegenPorts makes available to the private sector spaces and locations within the port domain, together with validated innovative technologies and a structured operational framework to invest in marine regeneration.

All interventions are supported by a monitoring and reporting system that ensures tracking, traceability and transparency of results.

Strategic pillars of the programme

The RegenPorts strategy is built around four key pillars:

  • Renaturalise
  • Measure
  • Connect
  • Scale

What initiatives does RegenPorts promote?

In this first call, the programme promotes the marine renaturalisation of the port through a cutting-edge Nature-based Solution (NbS) technology: Life Boosting Units® (LBU®).

The LBU® are a type of Vertical Restoration Units (VRU) designed for installation in specific locations within the port marine environment. These structures foster marine biodiversity regeneration and generate a positive impact that is continuously measured and reported.

Private sector participation model

Private sector participation is channelled through specific calls, allowing companies to join the programme by investing in VRU lots. The model includes monitoring systems and periodic reports compatible with corporate sustainability reporting, as well as communication and transparency tools to highlight the environmental impact generated.

As the first project enters its expansion phase, new initiatives will be incorporated. Each new initiative must successfully pass through three key stages:

  1. Research, pilots and technology validation.
  2. Expansion of the pilot model.
  3. Consolidation and monetisation of the regenerated natural capital.

News

Frequently Asked Questions

Can environmental or carbon sequestration credits be earned?

Currently there are no nature credits for renaturation of marine areas or for blue carbon sequestration (in the ocean). However, the results obtained with the Vertical Restoration Units (VRU) will be stored, opening up the possibility of retroactive claiming once environmental credits are approved.

The monitoring & reporting system, validated by scientists, also allows to calculate the economic value of the restored ecosystem services (environmental improvement, influence on fisheries, impact on the local community…).

Why can this not be considered ‘Greenwashing’?

The measurement of results and the transparency of the system are fundamental to eliminate any suspicion of greenwashing. In project communications, images of the identified species can be combined with quantitative data and the results obtained. There is also the possibility of incorporating these results in the publicly accessible PPP, which not only ensures transparency, but also facilitates social involvement and reinforces communication.

These results can be used in the sustainability report as they will be adapted to Omnibus and CSRDD or CSRDDD standards. At the same time, work is being carried out to obtain certification by an independent entity of international prestige.

How do Life Boosting Units (LBUs) work?

Life Boosting Units (LBUs) replicate the functioning of natural reefs, providing a habitat for the development of complex and therefore resilient ecosystems. To do this, they combine three elements:

1. Life Boosting Mix®: a natural microfauna attraction system, whereby larvae and small organisms are attracted to the LBU.
2. Calcium carbonate substrate: the most suitable substrate for the colonisation of the different species.
3. Multilayer design: providing space for nursery effect.

Do they work in environments such as commercial harbours?

LBUs have been successfully used in the port of Barcelona as well as in 25 ports and marinas. The biomass that develops in LBUs captures oxygen and oxygenates the water, and the increased biodiversity allows for more complex, richer and resilient ecosystems. Implemented at scale, LBUs can visibly transform harbour water quality and contribute to improving the environment.

What is the installation schedule?

If units are not available, LBUs require a 4-week manufacturing period and 6 months to complete the carbonation process with the optimal thickness and texture to maximize marine regeneration capacity.