The Port of Melbourne has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, outlining the progress made over the past year.
As Australia’s largest general cargo and container port, located at the heart of Melbourne, sustainability is central to the Port’s purpose, strategy, and the achievement of its goals and priorities.
In FY24, the Port of Melbourne reached several key sustainability milestones under the themes of People, Planet, Partnerships, and Prosperity.
These achievements include a 43% reduction in Scopes 1 and 2 emissions compared to the previous year, with an ambitious target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2030. The Port also ranked first among Australian and international ports in the 2024 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Infrastructure Asset Assessment for the second consecutive year. It maintained its 5-star GRESB rating and increased its score to 100 points, up from 99 in 2023.
Additionally, the Australian port co-funded a report by the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) on an air monitoring project in Melbourne’s inner-west.
It also contributed US$219,000 to various community partners, including Foodbank Victoria, Mission to Seafarers Victoria, Stella Maris Seafarer’s Centre Melbourne, Williamstown Football Club, and Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club.
“Port of Melbourne has made marked progress on the sustainability front, including sourcing more than 60% of our Scopes 1 and 2 electricity needs from renewable energy, such as Victorian-generated solar and wind. We also completed a preliminary climate risk and opportunity assessment encompassing physical climate change and economic transition as we look to the future,” commented Saul Cannon, CEO of Port of Melbourne.
The Port of Melbourne also engaged with the community by delivering 36 port education school sessions, reaching 1,170 students. In terms of workplace wellbeing, the Port achieved “Tier 1 Skilled Workplace” certification in the Mental Health First Aid Australia Workplace Recognition Program.
“Despite these achievements, there is still much to do. As demand for trade continues to rise, we are committed to growth that is sustainable and beneficial for Victoria and its people,” added Cannon.
