Napier Port is committed to operating our business in a sustainable way
By focusing our efforts on those issues that we are in the best position to influence and improve, we believe we can make a measurable, meaningful and enduring contribution to sustainability. We continue to make good progress in our commitment to sustainability, with a focus on embedding sustainable practices throughout our operations.
Sustainability Strategy
Our Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan implemented in 2021 identifies over 100 measurable workstreams across four pillars of people, planet, prosperity and partnerships stretching across a 10-year implementation timeframe (this can be found on our Investor Centre www.napierport.co.nz/investor-centre
During FY23 additional workstreams previously in planning began, resulting in 61.4% of all workstreams in the strategy now started or ongoing, compared to last year’s 47.1%. This demonstrates our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and embracing sustainable practices.
As an example, our annual Employee Recognition Scheme includes a measurable sustainability goal that all port employees work towards. This ensures we keep thinking and acting sustainably in our day to day work.
This year, every team was asked to identify initiatives they could implement during the year that would be ongoing. Our teams came up with 124 different initiatives, which were then consolidated by a cross-functional group and prioritised. By aligning these with our wider business strategy and utilising data and technology, some of these initiatives are already producing immediate, measurable results, for example:
- Marine Operations are maximising the use of lower consumption tugs where possible
- Container Operations are using data driven planning to reduce equipment idle time
- Warehouse Operations procured a battery electric sweeper used to mitigate pulp dust
- Fleet Services are segregating waste and using an aerosol puncture device to
recycle used cans - Infrastructure are replacing HID lights with LED units to lower consumption and reduce risk; and
- Corporate Office partnered with Sustainable Coastlines and Litter Intelligence to participate in community litter reduction initiatives; and segregated domestic waste to reduce total volume to landfill.
Further details are available in our FY23 Annual Report here.
Emissions Reduction in Action
Our total carbon emissions for this financial year were 8,772 tonnes, a 10% reduction from last year’s 9,744 tonnes. This was in line with reduced cargo following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Scope 1 emissions reduced from 7,155 tonnes to 6,279 tonnes, due to less fuel usage by forklifts, cranes and diesel generators. This was offset by the marine fleet (tugs and pilot boat) whose fuel usage increased due to the return of cruise ships as pandemic restrictions eased.
Scope 2, purchased electricity, reduced from 1,759 tonnes to 1,487 tonnes due to less refrigerated containers (‘reefers’) on power during the year.
Scope 3 emissions increased from 829 tonnes to 1,007 tonnes due to a range of factors. Our employee commuting data collection evolved which increased what is measured. Other smaller increases related to air travel as pandemic restrictions eased and container freight movements by road, while a key rail bridge was being repaired following Cyclone Gabrielle.