How to reduce your emissions and move closer to net zero.

As nations around the globe ramp up action their against climate change and move their economies towards net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, new practices, opportunities and indeed challenges are likely to arise for their respective ports and logistics operations. However, every journey will be unique, knowing what to consider and where to start will be starkly different for a freight forwarder versus a port or container terminal.

Many competing factors will be taken into account when looking at your transition to net zero, budgets, regulation and commercials amongst others will play their part. The need to derive the maximum benefit and identify the most cost effective option is clear to us. As a Club we are in a unique position to bring the best industry practices to our Members, helping them create clear strategies to transition to net zero regardless of their size or resources available.

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What is net zero?

Net Zero in simple terms refers to the balancing act between the amount of GHG that is produced and the amount that is removed from the atmosphere. Net Zero or this ‘balancing act’ can be achieved through a combination of the reduction of emission and emission removal and has 4 key components based on the Corporate Net-Zero Standard.

  1. Prioritise rapid, deep emission reductions by setting near-term targets
  2. Set long-term targets
  3. Neutralise residual emissions
  4. Climate finance beyond the value chain
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Greenhouse Gas Protocol

Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions explained

The term ‘scope 1, 2 & 3’ first appeared in the Green House Gas Protocol of 2001 and now form the basis for GHG reporting globally. However, these can be thought of in terms of three categories of emissions.

Reducing emissions

While you will likely need to consider capital investment, to pay for alternative fuels to power equipment and vehicles for example, not all emission reducing strategies come at a high cost.

Below you will find variety of case studies with options ranging from low cost technologies through to process changes and driving operational efficiencies, all of which could lead to a significant reduction in emissions.

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Climate action

SDG 13

How could the UN's Sustainable Develop Goals help you reduce emissions?

Case studies

As the maritime industry moves slowly but decisively towards sustainability, ports and terminals occupy a uniquely influential position. They certainly face significant challenges, of course, how to decarbonise operations while enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness, which is no small task. But they also have the opportunity to be a catalyst for broader change in the maritime industry, influencing shipping partners through targeted collaborations and initiatives like incentive schemes for visiting ships.

Cargo securing is not only relevant to ESG because the international maritime industry incurs losses of about $6 billion each year because of incorrectly packed or documented cargo (TT Club 2021) but also because of the consequences of additional CO2 emissions generated for the reworks of damage products and subsequent additional shipments.

TT Club longtime Member PD Ports are a UK ports and logistics business with 12 sites across England ranging from Hartlepool in the North to the Isle of Wight in the South, and is part of the Canadian company Brookfield Asset Management Inc. $600 billion portfolio, which extends to over 30 countries across the globe.  

Carbon credits are seen by several organisations as a crucial element towards achieving global net zero emissions by 2050, but despite earning a billion-dollar valuation from global companies, carbon credits have long struggled to inspire confidence. Some environmental groups approach carbon markets with scepticism, claiming that they allow companies to appear as though they are leading on climate action, when in fact they are not. In fact, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) does not allow achieving short-term carbon reduction targets using carbon credits and by 2050 only up to 10% is allowed to be achieved through removal credits. Recently, the European Union also banned advertising of products and services as “carbon neutral” if the neutrality was achieved using carbon credits.

The implementation of Rombit's DriveDigital Driver Coach in the logistics sector has yielded instant results, by promoting "eco-driving" in warehouses. This innovative solution not only enhances safety but also significantly reduces energy consumption, making it a win-win for logistics companies.

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Science Based Targets initiative

The Science Based Targets promotes the setting of specific, measurable goals that organisations set to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with the latest climate science and the global effort to limit global warming.

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TT Club provides guidance on how ports should act on climate change data and adapt to an uncertain future

BSI

22/03/2024

TT Club and BSI have partnered for a number of years, particularly around the topic of supply chain security. BSI deliver environmental, health and safety, security and sustainability services to the industry, and have become a key partner for TT Club in the context of the ESG toolkit.

RightShip

22/03/2024

TT Club identified RightShip as a key partner in delivering valuable insight and practical tools for Members to take their journey to net zero emissions. Focused towards port and terminal operators, RightShip provides access to a variety of risk solutions covering safety and sustainability. As a profit for purpose organisation, there are many synergies between TT Club and RightShip, both passionate about the industry we serve and assisting in the delivery of a sustainable future.

Climate change refers to long-term alterations in Earth's average weather patterns, primarily driven by the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), trap heat from the sun that would otherwise escape into space, leading to a warming of the planet.