Scotland's Premier Net Zero Port

Net Zero by 2040

Port of Aberdeen has set the ambitious target to be the first UK port to achieve net zero by 2040. Notably, we are the only UK port to take accountability for Scope 3 emissions from client vessels in our efforts to reach net zero.

We are investing £55 million over ten years to become a leading exemplar in environmental stewardship and sustainability, pioneering green port innovation, and facilitating energy transition solutions.

Our award-winning net zero strategy has three key themes – reducing port emissions, facilitating future fuels, and supporting the energy transition. These key themes guide the our decision-making and financial investment decisions around net zero.

“Port of Aberdeen's activities are a key enabler of the exciting energy transition. Great British Energy looks forward to partnering with the port to help accelerate this work.”

Juergen Maier CBE
Chair, Great British Energy

Scoping Our Emissions

Port of Aberdeen underwent a carbon footprint reassessment in 2023 due to the substantial changes in port operations brought about by the opening of South Harbour.

Port of Aberdeen’s primary sources of emissions are:

Direct emissions such as company owned vessels and fuel used in equipment, machinery, company cars, gas and f-gas (scope 1).
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity (scope 2).
Other indirect emissions occurring upstream and downstream of the port’s supply chain such as client vessels, leased assets, business travel, employee commute, water, and waste (scope 3).

The port’s carbon emissions in 2023 amounted to 70,919 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, with 98.6% of these generated by client vessels (scope 3). Leased assets and purchased electricity followed as the second and third largest sources of emissions respectively.

Progress to Date To be achieved in 2025

Progress to Date

Vehicles
53% of port vehicles are now electric and eight electric vehicle (EV) chargers have been installed across the port estate.

Sustainable Fuel
A key initiative has been a significant investment in the renewable fuel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which now powers port vehicles, vessels, and equipment instead of diesel.

Lighting
75% of the port estate is powered by LED lighting.

Renewables Electricity
28 port estate sites were switched to 100% renewable electricity in June 2024.

Recycling
Since January 2024, the port has been working towards higher recycling targets through a new waste management contract. As part of this initiative, food waste recycling bins have been installed in offices.

Electric Vehicle Scheme
Port of Aberdeen has rolled out an electric vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice and cycle-to-work benefits to all employees.

To be achieved in 2025

Shore Power in Operation
The ZEVI partnership will design and deliver the first large-scale landside and vessel-side shore power system in Scotland by end of Q1 2025. The demonstrator project will cut vessel emissions at the berths by more than 80% compared with burning marine fuel.

Serco NorthLink passenger ferries
Port of Aberdeen is installing shore power facilities for Serco NorthLink’s MV Hrossey and MV Hjaltland passenger ferries within the port’s North Harbour. The ferries will ‘plug-in’ to a clean electrical power source, through the port’s renewable energy tariff, while berthed in Aberdeen from Q1 2025.

Bibby Marine eSOV
Port of Aberdeen is installing shore power facilities within the port's North Harbour for the Bibby Marine lead ZEVI project to build the first electric SOV (eSOV) in the UK. The shore power installation will be operational by end of Q1 2025.

Maritime Decarbonisation

Port of Aberdeen has firmly established itself as leading hub for collaboration and innovation on maritime decarbonisation. The projects and learnings from the port will help accelerate work in this area across the UK.

“I very much welcome Port of Aberdeen’s Net Zero strategy and congratulate them on making this important investment in their future. I wish the port every success as they aim for their ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2040.”
MAIRI MCALLAN
CABINET SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, NET ZERO AND JUST TRANSITION