Dover Leads The Way As First UK Port To Hit Net Zero 25 Years Early

The Port of Dover has announced it has achieved its ambitious 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.

Image: Port of Dover

Its emissions for Scope 1 and 2 have fallen by a huge 98.3% 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 eight percent of all UK maritime emissions, so this news is a significant step forward for the future of maritime decarbonisation.

Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover said: “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. 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.”

Alison Hall, Head of Business Development at the Port of Dover said: “The Port’s achievement of net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions is a major milestone not just for the Port itself, but for the cargo community that relies on it every day. As a critical gateway for UK trade, we are committed to playing our part in building a more sustainable supply chain.

"The investments in cleaner fuels, renewable energy and energy-efficient infrastructure are already making a tangible difference to how cargo moves through Dover. We are proud to support this progress and will continue working with the wider Port to accelerate decarbonisation across the logistics and freight sector.”

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “It’s fantastic to see the Port of Dover charting the course for a cleaner maritime future, showing net zero port operations are becoming a reality in Britain.

“UK shipping is vital to our national prosperity. 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’s longer-term ambitions require strong partnerships with industry and government, and the Port 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 also recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard (PERS) for the fourth time, which is the only port-specific environmental management classification.