Port of Anacortes Greenhouse Gas Inventories

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December 14, 2022 | News

The Port of Anacortes, in partnership with Cogent Environmental Consulting, recently completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory of annual Port-controlled emissions from 2019 – 2021. As a reflection of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, we are pleased to share that the results of this study show the Port’s emissions have declined since 2019. The data gathered for this inventory will serve as the Port’s baseline carbon footprint, which will enable us to set smart emission reduction targets and be transparent about our progress toward these targets.

GHGs are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, which contributes to global climate change and the variety of natural and economic impacts that come with it. Reducing GHG emissions is a top priority for the Port, and we will continue to strive for exemplary environmental stewardship while maintaining our voluntary Green Marine certification. This inventory will be the first of many, helping us to track our progress and guide our efforts moving forward.

This study investigated Port emissions retroactively over the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, measuring GHG emissions that resulted directly from the Port, including Scope 1 and Scope 2 sources and emissions that are not directly from the Port, Scope 3 sources.

  • Scope 1 sources are those that are under direct control and operation of the port, such as fuel burned in Port-controlled buildings and by the Port fleet.
  • Scope 2 sources are indirect sources, such as purchased electricity in Port-controlled buildings and operations.
  • Scope 3 sources, or indirect sources whose emissions are a consequence of the Port’s activity but are not owned or controlled by the Port, are not included in this inventory, but are tracked by the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory (PSMAEI), a multi-agency effort that is conducted every five years.

In 2021, the Port-controlled GHG inventory showed that Port-wide emissions dropped to 292 MT CO2e, down from 878 MT CO2e in 2019. This decrease is largely due to the Port’s switch to Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Program in March 2021, which is sourced almost entirely from renewable sources and has a 98% lower emission intensity. This switch alone reduced the Port’s emissions in 2021 by 375 MT CO2e. We expect emissions to continue to go down, as we adopt new LED lighting in the Marine Terminal and bring more EVs and lower-emission vehicles into service, reducing fuel used by the Port fleet. Data from the PSMAEI indicated that Scope 3 emissions from the Marine Terminal are significant, accounting for 300% of our total direct emissions. This provides a strong argument for shore-to-ship power, which the Port is actively pursuing funding for, with the goal of further reducing emissions.

The results of this inventory are encouraging, showing us that the Port’s proactive stewardship efforts are already paying off, and our carbon impact is declining. We look forward to further progress, building on the foundation this inventory has laid and our sustainability efforts to date.

We invite you to read the report and learn more about our efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the Port and our community.