Forth Ports commits to be carbon neutral by 2032

Forth Ports has announced that its operations are set to be carbon neutral by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042.

Scotland’s biggest port operator has set an interim target of achieving carbon neutral emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2032 and outlined the actions it is taking to achieve a Net Zero carbon operation by 2042.

The team is overhauling and electrifying equipment and machinery, switching to low carbon fuels, increasing on-site renewable energy generation and promoting low carbon delivery alternatives such as rail and barge.

Forth Ports is part of the Thames Freeport and Forth Green Freeport partnerships.

All eight of their ports currently use environmentally sustainable sources of electricity.

New warehouses will have solar roof panels installed as standard and a new LED lighting is being rolled out to reduce power use.

Low carbon fuels will be used for mobile equipment and marine fleet, with sustainably sourced hydrogenated vegetable oil being used initially.

The group is also focused on delivering low carbon logistics and large-scale port infrastructure to support green energy generation.

There has been significant investment in port infrastructure to support the roll-out of ScotWind at Dundee and Leith.

Forth Ports has also overhauled its rail offering by investing in rail terminals and reinstating the rail connection to Rosyth as part of the Forth Green Freeport initiative.

© Supplied by Forth Green Freeport

Driving down Scope 3 emissions is also a priority for Forth Ports.

These emissions mainly stem from the use of steel and aggregate when constructing infrastructure or purchasing mobile port equipment and marine vessels.

The business is engaging with suppliers to find low carbon emission alternatives, such as Dundee’s renewables quay – DunEco Quay – using steel pipes made from reused or recycled materials.

The port also created a paved storage area by reusing building and road materials from the onsite works, which avoided adding to landfill and reduced road delivery miles.

Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, said: “I am pleased to lay out our plans for our operations to be carbon neutral by 2032 and to achieve Net Zero by 2042.

“We have already achieved a great deal in reducing our day-to-day emissions and enabling our customers to do the same.

“Our roadmap will aid the UK’s transition to a decarbonised economy.

“Large-scale market-ready port infrastructure is essential for the deployment of offshore wind.

“We have made significant progress in supporting the offshore wind sector through our initial £150 million investment programme – a key plank to enable the transition to Net Zero – with plans to invest significantly more as this market develops, including the infrastructure required for floating offshore wind as installations go into ever deeper seas.

“A greener future can only be achieved through collaboration.

“We are a supporter and champion of the UK and Scottish Governments’ clean maritime, net zero and green energy strategies and we continue to collaborate with our peers, customers and suppliers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions as we transition to a Net Zero economy.”

Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, said: “Achieving net zero by 2050 is crucial for the transport sector and this announcement is the sort of bold ambition needed to get there.

“Forth Ports’ actions set a clear example of how the UK’s maritime industry can excel in a carbon-free world, encouraging investment, improving infrastructure and creating more jobs – making way for a cleaner, greener future.”

Màiri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, said: “I welcome today’s commitment from Forth Ports, to achieving carbon neutrality by 2032 and net zero by 2042.

“I visited Forth Port’s Grangemouth facility recently, and what was made clear to me was the critical role that ports play in our economy.

“It is encouraging, then, to see such a key operator show leadership and commitment to maintain and grow that role in Scotland, as we transition to net zero.

“This commitment builds on impressive achievements to date, and I look forward to seeing Forth Ports’ full net zero plan and how, working collectively, we can help deliver our ambitions for a just transition to net zero.

“The package of support to be made available for the Forth Green Freeport, following approval of the relevant business cases, will form a critical part of this.”