The Port of Dover has announced it has achieved its 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 Scope 1 and 2 emissions have fallen by 98.3% from 2007 levels, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct. Dover’s announcement comes son 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% of all UK maritime emissions, so this news is considered a significant step forward for the future of maritime decarbonisation.
Doug Bannister, CEO Port of Dover, said: “We are proud to be celebrating this milestone moment, which has seen our carbon emissions reduce drastically from nearly 14,000t 18 years ago. 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. 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. 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.”
The port’s longer-term ambitions require strong partnerships with industry and government, and Dover is already working hard with both. Its Scope 1 and 2 achievements have, nevertheless, all been accomplished through its own drive and determination to champion sustainable maritime trade and travel. Some specific examples 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.
- 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 recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard (PERS) for the fourth time, which is the only port-specific environmental management classification.
Image: Dover Eastern Docks (source: Port of Dover)
