The port has reached its carbon net zero goal for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, marking a significant milestone in maritime decarbonisation
The Port of Dover has today (14 April) announced it has achieved its goal of carbon net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) for 2025.
The landmark comes at least five years ahead of any other UK port target, and 25 years ahead of the UK Government’s maritime target, it said.
Dover’s emissions for Scope 1 and 2 have fallen by 98.3 per cent from 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.
Today’s announcement 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.
The Short Straits counts for 8 per cent of all UK maritime emissions, with the port calling the news ”a significant step forward for the future of maritime decarbonisation”.
“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,” said Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover.
”Since setting our goal four years ago, people from across the Port have all contributed to this incredible result.
”Our brilliant in-house environment team has implemented modern and forward-thinking assets, sustainable processes and progressive behaviours across all areas of the Port to get here,” he commented.
”This has then given us the tools for our customers, partners and internal stakeholders to follow.
”My thanks and congratulations go to our team, particularly Megan Turner, environment and sustainability manager,” Bannister continued.
“We are not stopping here. 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.
”This sustainability drive is an essential part of our Port of Dover 2050 Masterplan, helping to protect the UK’s competitiveness and drive economic growth in an efficient and sustainable manner,” he said.
Aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister Keir Mather said it was “fantastic” to see the Port of Dover charting the course for a cleaner maritime future.
“UK shipping is vital to our national prosperity,” he pointed out. ”That’s why we’re supporting industry with £448m to develop clean fuels and technologies to support skilled jobs, cut carbon emissions and drive growth in our coastal communities.”
The Port stated that its longer-term ambitions require strong partnerships with industry and government, and confirmed that it is ”already working hard with both”.
Its Scope 1 and 2 achievements have all been accomplished through ”its own drive and determination to champion sustainable maritime trade and travel”, it noted.
Examples of the Port’s efforts include 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; and residual emissions being offset through an approved local regenerative farming scheme, which has produced carbon credits under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.
