Port of Seattle Joins Coalition to Cut GHG Emissions

The Port of Seattle joined the national coalition We Are Still In, the alliance of governments, colleges, and businesses committed to meeting the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

“We are actively cutting greenhouse gas emissions from port operations and working with our tenants to assist them in reducing their GHG emissions,” John Creighton, Port Commissioner, said.

“Leadership to make our carbon footprint smaller is crucial to reducing the threat of global temperature rise,” Creighton added.

The Commission also pledged support for Climate Neutral Now, a United Nations-led initiative to drive more voluntary climate action.

The port’s emission reduction goals mirror those in the Paris Agreement, including a 50-percent reduction by 2030 and a 100-percent-or-more reduction by 2050, compared to 2005 emission levels.

Port of Seattle said that its carbon-reduction initiatives would see an increased use of clean energy sources, including renewable natural gas, solar, and wind power and setting goals to meet all growth in energy usage through conservation and renewable sources.

Additionally, the port would mandate that all cruise ships and other large vessels plug into electric power or burn low-sulfur diesel while at berth.

Seattle would collaborate with the ports of Tacoma and Vancouver, BC on the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, to improve air quality in the entire Salish Sea air shed.