Sustainability targets
Corporate Social Responsibility
Zero Carbon Commitments
Port of Dover is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and has set challenging targets to achieve this.
One of our four underpinning values is to Look after everyone & everything - We are safe, secure and sustainable. We care about people’s wellbeing, and are responsible custodians of assets.
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.
We are working with the wider port and local community, supply chain, customers and ports sharing the short strait corridor to determine and target collective carbon-zero ambitions towards creating a Green Corridor.
Target 2025 Achieved
Carbon Net Zero Scope 1 & 2
The Port of Dover has become the UK’S first Net Zero port! 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.
Target 2030
Carbon Net Zero Scope 1, 2 & 3
We Aim to go one step further by ensuring there is no net release of carbon to the atmosphere balancing residual Scope 1, 2 and defined Scope 3 carbon emissions utilising natural means by continuing all of the above actions and:
- Minimising carbon emissions in procurement
- Minimising caron in development projects
Green Corridor Beyond 2030
We are working with the wider port and local community, supply chain, customers and ports sharing the short strait corridor to determine and target collective carbon-zero ambitions towards creating a Green Corridor.
Target Zero
Port of Dover commits to continual improvements, working towards a more sustainable Port. To this end, we have the following continuous improvement targets towards Zero harm from our own activities.
Zero Injury
No reportable injuries caused by our activities. RIDDOR/MAIB
Zero waste to landfill
All waste to be reused, recovered or recycled.
Zero pollution events
No reportable pollution from our activities.
Zero single-use plastic
Avoid or substitute single-use plastics used.
Zero impact events
Plan events to minimise negative impact.
Zero air quality impact
Zero emissions to air from our activities.
Zero carbon projects
Plan construction to minimise carbon.