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Q&A with David, Green Marine’s executive director

February 23, 2022

David Bolduc was appointed as Green Marine’s executive director in 2010 after having actively participated in the creation of the environmental certification program while he was an employee of one of its founding associations, the St. Lawrence Economic Development Corporation (SODES). He’s like part of the program’s furniture! It is with his great agility, perseverance and enormous tact that David has been able to ensure Green Marine’s growth – in membership and the program’s scope. In 2014, David received the Prix du Saint-Laurent (St. Lawrence award) from SODES in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the maritime industry.

Today, as executive director, David Bolduc is responsible for Green Marine’s strategic planning, as well as overseeing its administration and program development. He leads a team of six employees based in Quebec City, Halifax and Seattle.

Q: Why on Earth did you accept to take on the challenge of being the executive director of such a young organization, one dependent on the voluntary participation of its membership?

A: I accepted because I was young and foolish! No, seriously, it wasn’t a leap into the total unknown. There was a very strong commitment from the companies that participated in the creation of Green Marine, and I had already been working on this project for four years at SODES when I was appointed the executive director. It must be said that it was by far my favourite dossier, perfectly aligned with my deep values in terms of environmental protection. When I was offered the opportunity to take charge of the organization, the call was irresistible. Having participated in its creation, let’s just say that I developed a sentimental attachment that goes beyond simple professional pride.

Q: When the program was created in 2007, what was the biggest challenge in convincing approximately 40 companies from the maritime industry in Canada and the United States (founding members) to voluntarily assess their environmental performance?

A: The biggest challenge was convincing shipping lines and ports that this voluntary certification would work. At the time of the launch in October 2007, some key elements were still uncertain. The evaluation criteria were known, but not the implementation details since the self-evaluation guide had not yet been drafted. We had also not yet determined what form the first public statement of the results would take. It therefore took a certain amount of faith to embark on the adventure despite the uncertainty. This is characteristic of forerunners, I believe! I would like to highlight the extraordinary mobilization efforts carried out by the six associations that participated in Green Marine’s founding.

Q: Today, Green Marine’s membership consists of 165 participants, 43 associations and 92 supporters. At its inception, did you have such projections/ambitions for its future?

A: Not at all! If someone had told me this in 2007, I would not have believed it. It wasn’t until 2010, when the Port of Prince Rupert applied for membership and we opened certification to all Canadian and American maritime companies that I began to see Green Marine’s enormous potential. And in 2020 we really took it to another level with the creation of Green Marine Europe. In my opinion, seeing Green Marine Europe being managed by an environmental group such as Surfrider Foundation Europe truly consecrates the credibility of our model that is based openness, dialogue and transparency.

Q: Since your appointment as Green Marine’s executive director on January 1, 2010, what Green Marine achievement makes you the proudest?

A: I’m proudest of us having built such a great team! I have lost count of the number of times I have read the surprise in people’s faces when they learnt that we work with a team of six to seven people, having imagined it was double that number. That says a lot about the efficiency you need to have to convey a highly professional image. It is an honour for me to be surrounded by people who are so competent and passionate about our mission.

The other aspect of which I’m very proud is having been able to maintain the delicate balance of our program over the years. To retain the support of environmental groups and governments while maintaining the membership of certified companies, it takes a clever mix of ambitious goals, practicality… and diplomacy!

Q: The program’s scope is now broader with 14 performance indicators on which the participants assess themselves… how does Green Marine fit into the ecological and sustainable transition of the industry in particular and of society in general?

A: Our program has evolved tremendously over the past 15 years, in line with the new environmental realities that we face. We are in permanent “consultation mode” with our members, which allows us to clearly identify priorities and set common objectives. This has allowed us to take the lead on regulations on several occasions regarding issues as diverse as underwater noise, ship recycling and waste management. This is also what led us more recently to go beyond the strictly environmental framework to integrate sustainable development issues with our new indicator on community relations.

There are several external factors propelling our industry to improve its environmental performance – regulations, technology, political orientations and so forth – but I am convinced that Green Marine plays a significant role in accelerating this movement.

Q: The executive director’s role comes with its share of responsibilities… How do ensure a work and personal life balance?

A: Indeed, this isn’t a 9-to-5 job. Even when we turn off the computer, certain problems and challenges continues to run through our heads during the evening and on weekends. After 20 career years and two with the pandemic, I realize how important it is for the sake of mental health to impose periods of complete disengagement. What works best for me is photography, specifically photographing birds. It satisfies my need to connect with nature, my artistic side with composition of my shots, and even my geek side with the electronic equipment and image processing. There’s no better hobby for me!

For those curious about these photos, visit: https://davidbolduc.mypixieset.com/

Q: If you could select one person to visit in person (that you haven’t visited yet), which one would it be and why?

A: It’s impossible for me to choose on the basis of preference of one participant over another, so I will choose on a geographical basis since I have been seriously lacking travel since the pandemic’s start. I therefore would visit the Australian division of the CSL Group!

 

To learn more about the history of Green Marine’s creation, we invite you to read the article  » 10 YEARS & COUNTING…  » published in the Green Marine Magazine: https://issuu.com/allianceverte-greenmarine/docs/greenmarine-allianceverte-mai2017/10