Port of Newcastle achieves gold sustainability status

Date: 20.11.2023

The Port of Newcastle has added another achievement in 2023 with its continued work in the sustainability arena

Port of Newcastle achieves gold sustainability status

The Port of Newcastle has added the gold partner status to its list of achievements in 2023

The Port of Newcastle has been recognised for its outstanding environmental achievements, leadership and commitment to sustainability by becoming a Gold Partner in the NSW government’s sustainability advantage program.

Being run by the NSW government’s office of energy and climate change, Port of Newcastle has participated in the program since 2019.

The program supports organisations to embed sustainability into everyday practices, become more efficient by reducing energy and water use and waste while setting targets for emission reduction.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody says the status reflects the progress it has made in its sustainability journey over the past five years.

"We have made significant inroads since we first launched our ESG Strategy to embed environmental, social and governance best practice in everything that we do," Carmody says.

"We are proud to have created a culture of continuous improvement within the Port that drives the business to find new and innovative solutions to the sustainability challenges facing our industry.

"To be recognised as a Sustainability Advantage Gold Partner is a fantastic achievement and is an acknowledgement of just how far we have come in such a short space of time; from our port-wide energy efficient lighting upgrade to the decarbonisation of our operations through the use of 100 per cent renewable power."

Port of Newcastle Chief Financial Officer and ESG strategy lead Nick Livesey says the status builds on the port’s 2023 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) score of 96 out of 100.

"Our focus is to create a resilient and environmentally responsible Port that continues to support the economic prosperity of the Hunter and NSW economies, along with local jobs," Livesey says.

"This year alone the port has increased its SBTi Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction commitment to align with a 1.5 degree warming scenario, as well as continuing to lead the industry by setting a reduction target for Scope 3 carbon emissions.

"We are also proud signatories to the United Nations Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, reflecting the Port's commitment to aligning its ESG and diversification strategies with the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

"By making sustainability a key priority in reshaping and reimagining our future we can ensure the Port is around for generations to come."