Ports have a crucial role to play in resolving the climate emergency, and those that take the lead stand to benefit most.

The maritime industry accounts for 3% of global CO₂ emissions, projected to rise to 4.5% by 2050 as global trade increases and other parts of the economy decarbonise. 

Port customers are looking for low/zero emissions alongside wider environmental, social and governance performance in their supply and logistics chains. They will increasingly limit business to port operators that enhance their own end-to-end performance. Low/net-zero operators will form a global green transport network.

Investors and banks see exposure to climate change as a risk to capital. They increasingly expect the organisations they invest in to measure, understand, report and mitigate climate risks by planning and implementing measures to achieve decarbonisation and resilience. Ports failing to act face disinvestment and difficulty borrowing, which could ultimately result in stranded assets. Those that transition effectively will attract investment and secure loans to meet their business objectives.

Governments signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 and many have committed to net-zero. They have set policy backed by legislation and regulation to drive industry compliance. Operators in breach face fines and reputational harm. Those going beyond compliance will gain operational ‘headroom’ and reputational benefit.