Environment
Environment
Targeting our sustainable future
The team at the Port of Dover plays a vital part in maintaining supply of essential goods to the country.
With £144bn of freight and 33% of all UK trade with the EU passing through, we are a critical part of the UK-European trade superhighway. We are committed to preparing today to continue to be a critical part of the UK supply chain of tomorrow.
Working with local conservation partners is important to the port to ensure we work collaboratively towards common goals to protect and enhance the environment.
Environment
Environmental monitoring
The Port of Dover’s environmental monitoring programme was established in 1992
Measuring environmental quality across a wide range of natural and artificially created habitats within and immediately outside of the Port. This provides an understanding of the habitats and species present within the Port of Dover’s jurisdiction. It allows an appropriate level of protection to be implemented when undertaking operations and developments. Quarterly and bi-annual monitoring draws attention to changes in spatial and temporal trends, which may be a result of natural or anthropogenic factors.
The Port of Dover is committed to pro-actively managing and delivering a sustainable port operation that will minimise environmental impacts, promote good environmental practice and ensure the service of the Port’s future generations.
Environment
Our commitment
The Port’s vision is to operate in a world where exchange is seamless, smart and sustainable for all. The four values underpinning this vision: Working together, Exchange ideas & Innovate, Empower each other and Look after everyone and everything enables the Port to promote a culture of environmental awareness and corporate social responsibility amongst all staff and Port users.
The Port of Dover was the first port in Europe to be certified for its Environmental Management System (EMS) through the Ports Environmental Review System (PERS) in 2002, and the Port still holds this certification today. The Port’s EMS identifies and controls the significant environmental aspects and impacts of its operations and delivers environmental objectives and targets to reduce the impacts of those activities. In 2008, the Port was certified to the internationally recognised ISO14001 standard which requires demonstration of continual improvement in environmental performance. The Port still maintains this standard.
Environment
Carbon footprint
The Port has reached its 2025 Net Zero scope 1 and 2 target! Our scope 1 and 2 emissions have fallen by a huge 98.3% since 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct. The Port’s 2025 emissions were externally verified against ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocols Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.
We have been able to achieve this emissions reduction through:
- Purchasing sustainably sourced HVO (Hydrotreated vegetable oil) to operate machinery and port vessels.
- Installing 1.5MW of on-site solar generation.
- General energy efficiency improvements, such as purchasing renewable electricity and using LED lighting and heating controls etc.
In order to safeguard the Port environment the Port of Dover carries out extensive pollution prevention training. This training aims to increase staff awareness and the reporting of environmental occurrences.
Environment
Pollution prevention
As part of the Port’s commitment to preventing pollution, a high level of preparation is maintained in order to cope with any incident in the Port with the potential to cause environmental harm.
Pollution incidents are monitored and managed through an occurrence reporting system, which allows trends to be examined and ensures that training and equipment are appropriate and that the Port remains at a high level of preparedness.
Waste
The Port of Dover has committed to send zero waste to landfill. The Port’s current waste management programme ensures that this is achieved, with the Port’s waste being recycled or sent to energy from waste plants, with the exception of certain waste streams that legally require landfill disposal.
Water
Aware of the amenity value of the water within the harbour, the Port of Dover continues to monitor and achieve excellent water quality within the bathing area of the Port so that everybody can continue to enjoy the Port environment safely. The results from this survey are published on the seafront.
Cleanliness beyond
The Port recognises that marine litter is a significant threat to the marine environment as well as impacting on community amenities. To help combat the issue locally in Dover, each year the Port supports the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership Shakespeare Beach Survey and Beach Clean as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Great British Beach Clean. The port has also installed 3 Seabin’s to collect any marine litter within its Marinas.
Environment
Noise, light & air
The Port of Dover works with its partners to reduce noise, light and air pollution within and around the Port.
Employing modern equipment, pollution levels are regularly monitored.
Reports, policies & documents Centre
Environmental reports, policies & documents
The Port of Dover has a formalised Environmental Policy of our values to deliver an improved environment and in order to provide a framework by which the sustainability of port development projects can be measured.
