Source: APM Terminals
In line with our ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions across our controlled terminals globally by 2040 and a 70% total emission reduction by 2030, one of the major pillars of our decarbonisation strategy is electrification of our assets, radically reducing our consumption of fossil fuels across terminals.
However, it is not just about switching from diesel-fuelled equipment to using the one that runs on electricity, but also about making a conscious choice to only source green or emission-free electricity, therefore reducing our Scope 2 emissions, that is, emissions resulting from the production of electricity needed to power our electric terminal equipment. And the definition of “renewable electricity” is quite simple: it is the electricity that is generated by using for example hydropower, or wind & solar energy.
After switching to green electricity in APM Terminals Aarhus, Denmark at the beginning of 2022, we have now achieved an important milestone, with all electric operations at APM Terminals’ European facilities being powered by green electricity. As a result of our latest round of switches, the overall emission reduction is 52 kilotons of CO2, which equals to 9% of APM Terminals’ overall Emissions versus our baseline year of 2020. These reductions and the sources of procured electricity are all certified by PwC*.
Outside of Europe, we also have major achievements in terms of switching to green electricity. APM Terminals Pipavav in India signed a contract to procure 40% of its electricity demand from wind and solar energy sources via an Offsite Power Purchase Agreement with Cleanmax, reducing the scope 2 emissions by 3400 tCO2 (out of a total of 8500 tCO2). They have also commissioned a solar PV installation of of 1 MW, which will provide 14MWh per year and reduce emissions by further 1040 tons of CO2. With these initiatives, APM Terminals Pipavav is now one the lowest emitting terminal operators in India.
In our industry electrification is one of the most effective levers to reduce emissions. But we need to make sure this happens in a transparent manner, by purchasing electricity that truly comes from renewable sources – otherwise it is just “pollution in disguise”.
