Australia’s largest general cargo port – the Port of Melbourne – has released its 2024 sustainability report detailing the progress it has made in key initiatives surrounding the themes of ‘People, Planet, Partnerships and Prosperity’ over the past year.
While a number of initiatives conducted look to improve the implementation of greener practices at the port, clear headway has also been made in community and employment outcomes.
Key achievements listed by Port of Melbourne include:
- Reducing Scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 43 per cent on the previous year with a target to achieve net zero by 2030.
- Ranking first among Australian and international ports in the 2024 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Infrastructure Asset Management for the second year running.
- Maintaining its 5-star GRSEB rating and scoring the maximum 100 possible points – an increase from 2023’s score of 99 points.
- Co-funding the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) report on air monitoring project in Melbourne’s inner-west.
- Contributing more than $219,000 to community partners, including Foodbank Victoria, Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Stella Maris Seafarer’s Centre Melbourne, Williamstown Football Club and Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club.
- Delivering 36 port education school sessions to 1700 students.
- Achieving ‘Tier 1 Skilled Workplace’ certification in the Mental Health First Aid Australia Workplace Recognition Program.
Port of Melbourne CEO Saul Cannon says while the achievements are worth noting, there is still work to be done in those key theme areas moving forward.
“Port of Melbourne has made marked progress on the sustainability front, including sourcing more than 60 per cent of our Scopes 1 and 2 electricity needs from renewable energy,” Cannon says.
“We also completed a preliminary climate risk and opportunity assessment encompassing physical climate change and economic transition as we look to the future.
“As the demand for trade continues to rise, we are committed to growth that is sustainable and beneficial for Victoria and its people.
“Despite these achievements, there is still much to do.”
Port of Melbourne’s full 2024 Sustainability Report is available here.
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