On April 15, the Port of Dover announced it has reached its ambitious goal of achieving carbon net-zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2025, five years ahead of any other UK port and 25 years ahead of the UK Government’s maritime targets. Since 2007, the port has reduced its emissions by an impressive 98.3%, offsetting any remaining emissions through a local regenerative farming initiative compliant with the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.
The announcement follows external verification of the Port’s emissions reduction against ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocols Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. Notably, activities in the Short Straits account for 8% of the UK’s total maritime emissions. Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, expressed pride in this milestone, highlighting the significant drop from nearly 14,000 tonnes of emissions 18 years ago.
The Port’s success can be attributed to various initiatives, including the use of sustainably sourced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for machinery, the installation of 1.5MW of solar generation, and energy efficiency improvements such as renewable electricity and LED lighting. The EcoPorts environmental management standard has also been recertified for the fourth time, underscoring the Port’s commitment to sustainability.
Bannister emphasized the role of the Port’s in-house environmental team in implementing modern and sustainable processes, aiming to position Dover as a global leader in green shipping. The Port of Dover’s sustainability efforts are integral to its 2050 Masterplan, aiming to establish the first high-volume Green Shipping Corridor in the Short Straits.
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