AN INDEPENDENT audit by renewable energy consultancy Presync has confirmed NSW Ports has achieved Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions status under the Paris Agreement protocols after a 3-year program to decarbonise its operations at Port Kembla, Port Botany and the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre.
The achievement was shared in NSW Ports’ FY25 Sustainability Report released on 7 November.
Decarbonising initiatives the organisation launched include two power purchase agreements to source renewable power from wind farms for all directly managed electricity, two major solar installations at Enfield registered with the Clean Energy regulator to offset grid electricity recharged by NSW Ports’ tenants along with lighting upgrades, voltage optimisation and equipment automation.
The organisation has also replaced most of its petrol and diesel vehicles with electric and hybrid models in the past three years.
A small amount of unavoidable emissions representing 1.5% of baseline FY21 emissions was offset by using Australian Carbon Credit Units.
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas said the Net Zero achievement reflects a whole-of-business commitment to its 2022-25 Sustainability Strategy and Master Plan.
“Lighting upgrades and HVAC [electricity] optimisation alone cut our electricity usage by 16% at Port Botany, 10% at Port Kembla and 45% at Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre,” Ms Calfas said.
“While the scale of our Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions is modest, it is an important step forward as we continue to engage with tenants and port users on their GHG reduction plans (Scope 3 emissions).