Belfast Harbour says it expects to reach net-zero in its direct operations well ahead of its 2030 target after it cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 18% in 2023.
The figures were released as the harbour launched its first Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, which tracks the organisation’s sustainability activities against globally recognised and best practice Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
Against the baseline year of 2015, Belfast Harbour has achieved a 57% reduction in GHG emissions and in 2023 alone, and a further 40% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions is projected for 2024.
This has been achieved through a range of initiatives, including the introduction of new electric vehicles across its fleet and the increased use of low carbon alternative fuels including hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) in its pilot boats and plant machinery.
Scope 1 and 2 emissions are those based on what is generated and purchased by a company through its own operations.
The reduction in GHG emissions means Belfast Harbour will reach net-zero in its direct operations over the next two to three years, making it the first port operator in the UK and on the island of Ireland to do so.
Chief executive Joe O’Neill said: “We are proud of the steps we have taken and the investments we have made to become a more sustainable business.
“Our record on greenhouse gas reduction is striking and while we had initially set a goal to be Net-Zero in our own operations by 2030, the statistics in our first ESG report show we are well ahead of that target.
“We are on track to be the first Net-Zero port operator in the UK and on the island in the coming 2-3 years which is a huge achievement.
“But our ambition doesn’t end there, as one of the leading responsible businesses in the region we are working to find effective ways to tackle more challenging Scope 3 emissions in our supply chain.”