The Port of Long Beach’s air pollution emissions was significantly lower in 2022, fulfilling all of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan targets a year ahead of schedule.
According to the port’s annual emissions inventory report, which was given to the Long Beach Board of Harbour Commissioners on 11 September, diesel particles are down 91 per cent from 2005, nitrogen oxides are down 63 per cent, and sulphur oxides are down 97 per cent, while cargo container volume is up 36 per cent.
The yearly inventory progress is usually compared to 2005, the year before the initial San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) was implemented.
Several salient factors impacted activity, efficiency, operations and thus emissions in the 2022 study year. By mid-year, congestion related to the COVID-19 pandemic had subsided.
Programmes to relieve congestion, such as vessel queuing, reduced the number of ships anchored.
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The port’s also had 19 per cent of cargo-handling equipment at terminals reach zero-emissions, as did the port’s Clean Truck Program and the continuous shift to cleaner vehicles to convey goods.
Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Bobby Olvera Jr, said: “We’re proud of our green programmes and commitment to sustainability. This emissions inventory is a feather in the port’s cap, and we’re celebrating, but our sights are on the ultimate goals we’ve set, including zero-emissions cargo handling by 2030 and zero-emissions trucking by 2035.”
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Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, stated: “The Port of Long Beach’s impressive record of environmental achievement is widely known.
“But we couldn’t accomplish all that we have without the close cooperation of our industry partners, labour and each part of the supply chain who does business with us.
“Everyone deserves a great deal of credit for their willingness to do the right thing for the planet, maintaining that commitment through some challenging recent years, and helping us reach these green milestones.”
