GEELONGPORT, Port of Newcastle and Port of Brisbane are celebrating high scores in the latest round of Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) results.

GRESB is a benchmarking tool that intends to insight into an organisation’s environmental, social and governance performance over time and an in comparison to industry peers.

Annual assessments capture information on ESG performance and sustainability practices for infrastructure funds, companies and assets worldwide, including ports.

GeelongPort

GeelongPort ranked first out of 26 participating port companies globally, positioning it as a “worldwide sector leader” for 2022, according to the port.

It participated in the infrastructure assessment and achieved Sector Leader Designation for Transport, Port Companies.

GRESB CEO Sebastien Roussotte described sector leaders as the top-performing organisations leading the way to a net-zero future and pulling the industry forward.

“We applaud this year’s sector leaders for their commitment, leadership and dedication to ESG and sustainability,” he said.

GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter said the GeelongPort team was thrilled to be recgosnised as sector leader in the port’s third year of GRESB participation.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done in a short period of time, and it’s great to see that we are on track to achieving our aspiration to be Australia’s most sustainable port,” Mr Winter said.

“At GeelongPort, our focus on sustainability is not only embedded in our corporate values but demonstrated in our approach to day-to-day activities across the port.”

Port of Newcastle

Port of Newcastle received a score of 95/100 – the port’s highest score to date – and its second consecutive 5-star GRESB rating.

“To go from a GRESB score of 40 in our first assessment in 2019 to 95 in 2022 is a wonderful achievement and recognition of the dedication, collaboration and commitment of the many teams across the Port who have been working to make ESG a core part of our business and our culture,” Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said.

“As the world’s largest coal port, we have been actively working to diversify for the future and are well on the path to achieving our goal of reducing coal trade to half of total revenue by 2030.

“We understand the important of ESG to our customers, shareholders and our staff and are committed to delivering strong ESG outcomes, embracing new opportunities and new ways to grow.”

Port of Brisbane

And Port of Brisbane received its third five-star rating in a row in the latest GRESB assessment.

The port’s overall score increased to 94/100 (up from 89/100 in the 2019/20 financial year), positioning Port of Brisbane as the second of seven ports in its division.

PBPL CEO Neil Stephens said there is always more work to be done, but the port is making good progress on sustainability initiatives across all areas of its business.

“A key part of sustainability is seeking continuous improvement,” Mr Stephens said.

“So, while we are very proud to achieve this five-star rating again, it is equally as pleasing to see our overall score improving – a sign of the progress we’re making on our sustainability journey.

“This ranking and global recognition continues to give us confidence that we have a strong strategy for the Port of Brisbane; a strategy that will enable the business to respond in a responsible, balanced and sustainable way, delivering positive outcomes for our business, our customers and stakeholders, and the broader community.”