- UK ports have cut average Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 20% between 2022 and 2023, according to the first BPA Net Zero Maturity Assessment.
- Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has emerged as the most widely adopted transitional fuel, but limited grid capacity and high costs remain major hurdles.
- The new tool provides a consistent framework for tracking progress, benchmarking performance, and sharing best practices across the sector.
The first annual assessment of UK ports’ decarbonisation efforts has shown significant emissions reductions, despite persistent challenges in securing new and upgraded grid connections. Published on Clean Maritime Day during London International Shipping Week, the British Ports Association (BPA) 2025 Sustainability Report presents findings from the BPA Net Zero Maturity Assessment Tool. This tool monitors progress across eight decarbonisation indicators, including emissions reduction, target setting, infrastructure investments, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. It offers ports a consistent framework to track performance over time and to report milestones such as reaching net-zero, according to the British Ports Association.
Key Findings
The 2025 assessment revealed three clear areas of progress. First, ports are engaging effectively with both public and private stakeholders, strengthening cross-sector collaboration. Second, measurable results are being achieved, with Scope 1 and 2 emissions cut by an average of 20% in just one year. Third, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has become the most widely used alternative fuel, underlining biofuels’ role as a bridge towards cleaner technologies.
Remaining Challenges
Despite these gains, the report underscores ongoing barriers. High costs and limited grid capacity are slowing down the pace of decarbonisation. These constraints affect not only port operations but also the roll-out of transformative technologies like shore power, which requires significant electrical infrastructure upgrades.
A Sector-Wide Commitment
According to Rhona Macdonald, Senior Sustainability Advisor, the assessment tool allows ports to benchmark anonymously, share best practices, and build a collective view of industry progress. She noted that over time, the tool will provide an increasingly detailed picture of the sector’s transition and serve as a benchmark for sustainability performance.In this first exercise, 22 ports participated, with more expected to join in the coming year. The tool will also be refined and improved by an industry steering group. Supported by both the BPA and UK Major Ports Group, the initiative highlights the determination of UK ports to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals while navigating the sector’s ongoing challenges.
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Source: The British Ports Association
