Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy
We've committed to phasing out all seaport-related emissions by 2050 or earlier.
Learn how our strategies are getting us closer to zero.
TRACK EMISSIONS
Effective tracking of emissions helps the Ports understand where emissions come from, the impacts of port operations on emission levels, and track progress over time toward our goals. The Port of Seattle, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, and Port of Tacoma track emissions from their seaport operations through regular greenhouse gas inventories. A greenhouse gas inventory is a modeling exercise that uses real world operational data, such as quantity of fuel used or electricity used, to estimate an organization’s GHG emissions.
In addition to tracking organizational GHG emissions, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and the NWSA partner with other stakeholders on the Puget Sound Maritime Emissions Inventory, which is a comprehensive inventory of maritime related GHG and air pollutant emissions across the Puget Sound region. The PSEI is conducted every five years.
Learn more at the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory Website.
ADOPT TECHNOLOGY
Phasing out emissions from seaport activities will require a monumental shift to low and zero emission technologies, such as battery-electric equipment and low carbon marine fuels. These emerging technologies must be tested by the industry before they can be broadly adopted and manufactured.
From big ocean-going ships to semi-trucks, to light duty vehicles, the Ports are a unique place to demonstrate a broad suite of these technologies, as the maritime supply chain consists of so many different components and types of equipment. In addition, as public agencies, the ports have unique access to compete for government funding which can be used by the industry to support technology adoption.
As a result, the Ports have prioritized industry engagement, technology demonstrations, and advocacy for funding to increase the pace of adoption for zero-emission technology.
FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance have found that partnerships at all levels are key to overcome these types of challenges and to achieve sustainable outcomes. Where ports can only do so much alone, engagement with a diverse coalition of community, industry, and government stakeholders can help find solutions to these complex problems and working in partnership with other expands ports’ span of influence and impact. Ports are critical conveners, facilitators, and leaders in bringing key actors together.
The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is an example of a successful ongoing partnership between Port of Seattle, NWSA, Port of Tacoma, and Fraiser-Vancouver Port Authority to harmoniously reduce GHG emissions across the port industry in the Pacific Northwest. Other important partnerships include clean energy planning, Puget Sound Zero Emission Truck Collaborative, green corridors, and NWSA itself.
ENGAGE COMMUNITIES
Both Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are represented by 5 elected commissioners and the NWSA is managed by all 10 port commissioners. This means that our constituents’ values and needs are represented through our commissioners, and we have a direct obligation to community members to uphold these priorities in all areas of our work. This means community is involved in all areas of work at the Ports!
Near-port communities in particular are exposed to the environmental damage caused by maritime and industry histories. This is why supporting near-port communities is at the core of the NWPCAS. In addition to organizing events tailored to the interests of Seattle and Tacoma communities respectively, all Ports operate multiple streams of communication, including social media, news media, print materials, newsletter updates with partner profiles, and this web portal!
NORTHWEST PORTS
CLEAN AIR STRATEGY
The 2020 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy is a voluntary collaboration among four port authorities with a vision to phase out seaport-related air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin airshed by 2050. The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Seattle, and Port of Tacoma in the U.S., and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in Canada built this strategy through extensive engagement and it represents an important step to catalyze collaboration across the ports, industry, government, and community towards this collective vision
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Our work is rooted in our values and those of our constituents. When implementing the strategy vision, all participating ports will be guided by the following principles that were identified through conversations with our partners and near-port communities. These principles will influence how ports prioritize action, funding, and investment.
Climate Urgency
Seek early achievement of goals in recognition of the urgency to act to limit global climate change.
Social Equity
Prioritize action with communities that have been most impacted by port operations.
Port Competitiveness
Deliver the strategy in a way that supports the competitiveness of ports and the prosperity of communities.
Leadership
Take a leadership role to facilitate government and industry support for the policies and actions needed to achieve the vision.
Innovation
Promote investment in innovative technologies, policies, and practices that drive continuous improvement.
Evidence-Based Decisions
Use best available climate change and air quality science to inform decisions.
Focused Resources
Focus action in areas likely to have the highest evironmental, social, and economic impact, recognizing the limits of port authority resources, operational control, and influence.
Accountability
Provide clear, transparent, and timely updates on progress toward achieving our vision.