Port of Seattle Slashes GHG Emissions

Image via Port of Seattle.

The Port of Seattle slashed its greenhouse gas emissions by 46% last year over its 2005 baseline, according to the port’s newly released annual GHG emissions inventory.

Among the findings: a 41% drop in GHG emissions from maritime vehicle and equipment fuel use since 2005 due to the use of renewable diesel and lower gasoline use.

Port officials anticipate removing all carbon emissions from port-owned and -controlled sources by 2040 and for everyone operating at port facilities to be at least carbon neutral by 2050.

“We are past peak carbon for the port’s owned and controlled emissions,” port Commissioner Ryan Calkins said. “Renewable natural gas made this breakthrough possible. We are optimistic that more organizations will make major strides towards zero carbon when the Clean Fuel Standard takes effect in Washington next year.”

The biggest challenge remaining, Calkins said, is that the 99% port-related emissions come from its aviation, maritime and heavy transportation industry partners.

“Which is why the port continues to push for large-scale transformative sources of energy like green hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, and renewable wind,” he said. “Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act moves us closer to reaching these goals.”

By Karen Robes Meeks