Americas News
Port of Seattle Joins "We Are Still In" Alliance, Pledges to Continue COP21 Efforts
The Port of Seattle today announced it has joined the national coalition We Are Still In - a national alliance of governments, colleges, and businesses pledging to continue efforts as part of the COP21 climate agreement.
"We are actively cutting greenhouse gas emissions from Port operations and working with our tenants to assist them in reducing their GHG emissions," said Port Commissioner John Creighton.
"Leadership to make our carbon footprint smaller is crucial to reducing the threat of global temperature rise."
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month announced his country will withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement.
Port of Seattle notes that its various carbon-reduction initiatives include:
- Mandated that all cruise ships and other large vessels plug into electric power or burn low-sulfur diesel while at berth
- Increased use of clean energy sources, including renewable natural gas, solar, and wind power
- Collaborated with the ports of Tacoma and Vancouver, BC on the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, improving air quality in the entire Salish Sea air shed
- Set goals to meet all growth in energy usage through conservation and renewable sources
"The Port's emission reduction goals mirror those in the Paris Agreement: a 50-percent reduction by 2030 and a 100-percent-or-more reduction by 2050, compared to 2005 emission levels," the Port added.
