The Port of Dover today (15 April) announced it has achieved its “ambitious goal of carbon net-zero emissions” (Scope 1 and 2) for 2025, at least five years ahead of any other UK port target, and 25 years ahead of the UK Government’s maritime target.
Its emissions for Scope 1 and 2 have fallen by 98.3% from 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.
Today’s news comes shortly after external verification of the Port’s 2025 emissions was received, (against ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocols Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard).
Activity in the Short Straits (Strait of Dover) accounts for 8% of all UK maritime emissions.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover said: “We are proud to be celebrating this milestone moment, which has seen our carbon emissions reduce drastically from nearly 14,000 tonnes 18 years ago.
“Since setting our goal four years ago, people from across the Port have all contributed to this incredible result.”
The Port’s Scope 1 and 2 goals were achieved through a range of initiatives, including:
Purchasing sustainably sourced HVO (Hydrotreated vegetable oil) to operate machinery
Installing 1.5MW of on-site solar generation.
General energy efficiency improvements, such as purchasing renewable electricity and using LED lighting and heating controls
Residual emissions being offset through an approved local regenerative farming scheme, which has produced carbon credits under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.
The Port also recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard (PERS) for the fourth time, which is the only port-specific environmental management classification.
The sustainability drive is part of the Port of Dover 2050 Masterplan, and Bannister praised the “brilliant in-house environment team”, which has “implemented modern and forward-thinking assets, sustainable processes and progressive behaviours across all areas of the Port to get here”.
“This has then given us the tools for our customers, partners and internal stakeholders to follow,” he said.
“We want Dover to be a global leader, putting the UK on the global stage as home to the world’s first high-volume Green Shipping Corridor here on the Short Straits.”
The Port also recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard for the fourth time. It is the only port-specific environmental management classification.
Like what you’ve read? To receive New Civil Engineer’s daily and weekly newsletters click here.