The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has outlined its new roadmap to become net-zero by 2031.
The goal also coincides with the port authority’s 75th anniversary.
The plan clearly lays out the steps Massport will take to reduce emissions within the next decade, preparing the port authority for the impact of climate change.
“Massport is committed to working with our surrounding communities to reduce our impacts to the environment while remaining focused on supporting the region’s economy,” said Massport Board Chairman Lew Evangelidis.
“Massport’s Roadmap to Net Zero aligns with the Commonwealth’s climate goals.”
The port authority will accomplish its aim by:
- Improving energy efficiency in buildings through design standards and operational controls.
- Transitioning to clean fuel sources such as renewable electricity, renewable natural gas, and so on.
- Generating as much renewable energy as possible on-site and making off-site renewable energy purchases.
- Acquiring renewable energy credits, renewable identification numbers, and carbon offsets as a transition strategy, for the fossil fuel sources that cannot be reduced, electrified, or switched to renewable energy in the near term.
- Implementing all remaining facility-specific initiatives identified to ultimately reach net zero.
Lisa Wieland, CEO of Massport, added: “The pandemic gave us an opportunity to rethink the way we do business going forward, and we are now on the path to Net Zero.
“This is a real commitment, with aggressive goals, tied to real actions that will take us to Net-Zero by 2031, which also happens to be Massport’s 75th anniversary. While we get our own house in order, simultaneously we will be working with our business partners on ways they can help reduce emissions.”
For any areas that cannot be reduced to zero, the port authority will invest in carbon offsets to reach the target. Massport expects to be Net Zero without offsets by 2040.
“As an East Boston resident and community advocate, I’m glad to see Massport making this commitment to becoming Net Zero that will greatly benefit neighbouring cities and towns,” said John Nucci, Massport Board member and Chair of the Community Outreach Committee. “Logan Airport and Massport’s other facilities create greenhouse gases that impact our neighbours, and this plan takes real steps to improve air quality and reduce those impacts.”
The plan includes upgrading lighting systems across all facilities to LEDs, upgrading the Logan Express and shuttle bus fleet to electric vehicles, and installing more solar panels and renewable energy sources.
Last summer, Massport received three new low-profile Neo-Panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes to the Conley Container Terminal as part of its projects to deepen the Boston Harbour and attract mega-ships.
