Dover has become the first UK port to achieve Scope 1 and 2 carbon net-zero emissions, 25 years ahead of the UK government’s target for the sector

Its emissions for Scope 1 and 2 (direct and indirect greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by a company’s operations) have fallen by 98 per cent from 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct.

The announcement comes after external verification of the port’s 2025 emissions was received, against ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocols Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “We are proud to be celebrating this milestone moment, which has seen our carbon emissions reduce drastically from nearly 14,000 tonnes 18 years ago.

“Since setting our goal four years ago, people from across the port have all contributed to this incredible result.  Our brilliant in-house environment team has implemented modern and forward-thinking assets, sustainable processes and progressive behaviours across all areas of the port to get here.”

He continued: “This has then given us the tools for our customers, partners and internal stakeholders to follow. My thanks and congratulations go to our team, particularly Megan Turner, environment and sustainability manager.”

The port’s Scope 1 and 2 achievements include the purchasing of sustainably sourced HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) to operate machinery; the installation of 1.5MW on-site solar generation; the implementation of renewable electricity and LED lighting and heating controls; and offsetting residual emissions through a local regenerative farming scheme.

The port also recently achieved recertification under the EcoPorts environmental management standard (PERS) for the fourth time, which is the only port-specific environmental management classification.

Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director of Viking UK, said: “We offer our congratulations to the Port of Dover for becoming the UK’s first net-zero port, particularly as they have achieved this before the target date.

“In line with the Port of Dover’s efforts, as a global leader in experiential travel we are very mindful of our responsibility to the environment ourselves. Like the Port of Dover, our long-term success depends on our ability to develop programmes that meet or exceed both the global regulatory frameworks and local regulations for each area we visit.”