Our Environment
The Port aims to be a leader in sustainable environmental management in the New Zealand port industry by reducing our environmental impacts and pushing towards a sustainable future.
The Port is committed to continual improvement in its environmental performance. Fuel is consumed directly by tugs, cranes, material handling equipment, and port users: trucks and ships, this creates carbon emissions. In addition, the Port’s activities create negative physical emissions in the form of noise, dust, stormwater runoff, and the potential for spillage. Reducing these impacts are a priority for the Port.
Scroll down for more information.
Goal
Reduce our environmental impacts and push towards a sustainable future
2030 Strategy
Strategy 1
Reduce our Impact
Reduce our physical and carbon impact on the environment.
-
1) Achieve Decarbonisation of at least 67% on 2019 emissions by 2035. Port Nelson has been measuring its carbon emissions since 2016/17 and investigated several reduction options before committing to the current targets. As 79% of our Scope 1 & 2 emissions come from petrol and diesel the focus will be on conversion of our heavy fleet to alternate fuels or electrification. This would require investment in both equipment and infrastructure.
2) Port Nelson will minimise our operational impacts on the physical environment by enhancing our proactive management of “high risk environmental activities” such as: dredging, dust emissions, stormwater discharges, noise, and spills.
-
Carbon Accounting. Measure, Verify and Report.
Achieve Short- and Long-Term Targets
Climate Awareness and Training Across Business Units (BUs).
Alternative Fuel Transition Plan
Implement Management Practices to Effectively Manage Log Yard Operational Discharges.
Proactive Management of the Ports Environmental Legal and Legislative Requirements.
Continuous Improvement in PNL’s Management of Noise.
Control/Treat Stormwater prior Discharge the Coastal Environment.
Control and Suppress Airbourne Contaminates to Improve Air Quality.
-
26% gross reduction in emissions by 2026. 4.2% reduction in emissions per year to achieve 67% reduction by 2035
Maintain Toitu certification
Complete pulse checks to gauge staff awareness every three years. Achieve a 20% improved
100% Legislative Compliance
No unconsented discharges of stormwater to the Coastal Marine Area (CMA)
50% reduction in noise events exceeding 85 dBA Lmax at boundary per container vessel
0 External dust complaints per annum
Strategy 2
Leader in Sustainability
Engages in sustainability and climate change adaptation that also supports our people and community.
-
1) Port Nelson will lead Environmental Management in the Top of the South. We will achieve this by implementing innovative solutions for managing our environmental impacts and integrating environmental management into our daily operations. We aim to ensure that our customers, suppliers, staff, partners, and the wider community are all part of this journey.
2) Optimised adaptation planning and execution for climate change impacts. Port Nelson Limited (PNL) has undertaken an exercise to understand the implications of the effects of natural environmental hazards and climate change on the Port and its infrastructure. Transparent reporting of climate-related disclosures will be established.
-
Continue to improve upon PNL’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS).
Integrate Environmental Management into PNL’s Business Processes and Include Environmental Performance in PNL’s Business Conversations.
Champion Regional Material Environmental Initiatives
Provide Employees with the Tools and Knowledge to Reduce the Impacts of their Activities on the Environment.
Adopt a Zero Waste to Landfill Approach.
Develop, Integrate and Implement a “Green” Procurement Approach.
Established adaptation plan that addresses climate change impacts.
Reporting against Climate Related Disclosure Framework
Environment, Social and Governance reporting.
-
Maintain ISO 14001 certification
Establish a green team with ambassadors
50% increase by 2026 in Environmental Event reporting (baseline 2020)
2+ community environmental incentives per year
10% reduction per year of waste to landfill over the next 3 years
Implement green procurement strategy by Dec 2024
Climate Risk Assessment completed
Adaptation Plan delivered 2025
Full compliance with TCFD
Challenges
1. Carbon Emissions
Cost of investment required to transition to alternative fuels
Infrastructural requirements to service the port for the adoption of electrification and hydrogen fuels
Availability of technology
Reducing emissions associated with our value chain (Scope 3)
2. Climate Resilience
Investment requirements to mitigate risk from climate change
Intensification of Port land use
3. Geo-Political
New Zealand legislation and policies
Broader community engagement in environmental and sustainable issues
2024 Strategy
2024 Strategic Initiatives
Environment
Aligned with the 2030 plan. The Port will pursue 1 strategic initiative under ‘Environment’ in 2024FY.
-
Actions will include improved monitoring of physical impacts, certification through Toitu, commitment to Climate Leaders Coalition’s updated statement of ambition, commence reporting against climate related disclosures, and raise awareness of environmental management within the team.
2024 Challenges
Balancing Shareholder and other stakeholder demands with business capacity: Shareholders are seeking a high level of reporting and progress in the decarbonisation and climate change area. Our challenge is satisfying this need while moving at a practical and affordable pace.
Speed and cost of technology transition: The pathway for heavy machinery to move to a decarbonised position remains unclear. This adds complications to procurement decisions.
Raising the profile in the business: While environmental matters are broadly understood and supported throughout the business, the priority of the subject needs to be raised. Finding the capacity within teams will be a challenge.
