DP World's Decarbonisation Efforts Reaching Net Zero

DP World's container terminal in Southampton is on the verge of achieving operational net zero emissions by 2025.

By 2024, the terminal had already reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 87% compared to 2021, with these reductions independently verified by LRQA.

In a key transition during 2022, the port became the first in the UK to eliminate fossil diesel from its operations entirely, switching to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a renewable biodiesel that has decreased net carbon dioxide emissions by over 80%, significantly enhancing local air quality.

The terminal is on track to reach its most significant milestone to date, aiming to be operational net zero within the 2025 reporting period.

Based on verified data from 2021 to 2024 and ongoing as well as planned decarbonisation initiatives, DP World Southampton is setting a standard in the push towards net zero.

Combining Innovation with Strategic Offsetting

Achieving operational net zero entails balancing the greenhouse gas emissions produced through Scope 1 and Scope 2 activities with measures taken to remove or offset these emissions.

This aligns with DP World's global greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, the Paris Agreement, the GHG Protocol and the SBTi Guidance.

As a pivotal part of the UK's supply chain infrastructure, DP World facilitates a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy at its container terminal that integrates emissions reduction with effective carbon offsetting. This commitment is more than an environmental target; it is about reimagining how major port operations can forge a sustainable future.

Using 2021 as the baseline year, when the company first verified its carbon emissions against ISO 14064-1 standards, DP World Southampton has developed a robust five-year plan centred on three primary pillars:

• Energy Efficiency Revolution: Adoption of state-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies and a significant increase in renewable energy usage, moving away from traditional fossil fuels.
• Operational Innovation: Utilisation of low-carbon fuels and sustainable operational practices, transforming container handling with minimal environmental impact.
• Strategic Offsetting: Retirement of high-quality, verifiable carbon credits meeting ISO 14068 criteria for emissions that cannot be eliminated.

With the city of Southampton targeting net zero by 2035, DP World Southampton's achievements provide crucial support for regional decarbonisation efforts. Transparent verification is integral to the initiative's credibility, with the port's emissions data undergoing annual independent verification against ISO standards.

Ambitious long-term targets

DP World Southampton's ambitions reach well beyond the 2025 goal. The facility is committed to supporting global efforts by targeting a 28% reduction in Scope 3 supply chain emissions by 2030 and achieving full net zero across all emission scopes by 2050, through innovations like the Modal Shift Programme and Carbon Inset Programme Trial.

John Trenchard, Vice President - Commercial & Supply Chain at DP World in the UK, remarks on the progress: "At DP World, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and offering our customers lower carbon options. Our accomplishments at the Southampton port are a true team effort."

In addition to investments like introducing a 'green' charge on older trucks and funding seabins through Hampshire Wildlife Trust, DP World is exploring new solutions to improve its supply chain sustainability. The extension of their Carbon Inset Programme reflects increased demand for carbon credits, underscoring its value to customers.

DP World's engagement doesn't stop at Southampton. Its London Gateway site is undergoing major electrification efforts, including the construction of a 400-meter all-electric berth and the installation of Europe's tallest quay cranes, furthering the decarbonisation agenda across port operations.

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