Accelerating decarbonisation

The Port of Seattle Commission has voted to accelerate its emission reduction efforts by ten years to be net zero or better for port-owned emissions by 2040. The port also committed to accelerating and expanding its goal for emissions from industries operating at its facilities to be carbon neutral or better by 2050.

The policy directives were timed to coincide with the Conference of Parties 26 (COP 26) meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. “The urgency for climate action is underscored by the UN Secretary General’s recent statement that the impacts of climate change are a ‘code red for humanity,” said Port of Seattle Commission president, Fred Felleman.

Current initiatives

The port announced participation in two exploratory studies of renewable hydrogen as a future vehicle and maritime fuel source, a new partnership with Seattle City Light (SCL) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to focus on the port-led Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategy and its membership in the global ‘Getting to Zero’ decarbonisation coalition.

Earlier this year the port adopted the 2020 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a multi-port strategy to phase out seaport emissions by 2050.

Commissioners received an overview of the port’s plan to cut maritime emissions by 50% by 2030 and phase out all maritime emissions by 2050, which will be presented to the Commission for adoption at the 16 November meeting.

A new 2020 inventory revealed that greenhouse gas emissions from port-controlled sources dropped 20% last year. While COVID-19 led to decreases in port-controlled emissions from some sources and increases in others, expanded use of low carbon fuels and clean electricity drove the majority (60%) of the decline in emissions, said the port.

The port has begun using renewable diesel in port vehicles and equipment and joined Puget Sound Energy’s Green Direct renewable electricity programme.

The last available inventory of maritime industry emissions occurring at the Port of Seattle in 2016 showed a decline of 20% since 2005, due to new international and national clean fuel regulations, increased use of shore power, and adoption of new, more efficient vessels and equipment.