The Port of Barcelona has made history by becoming the first Mediterranean port—and one of the first globally—to use ISO 14064 to calculate the carbon footprint of all activities within its territory. Certified by classification society DNV, the port's 2022 carbon footprint is 495,356 tCO2eq, with 349,399 tCO2eq from previously accounted activities and 145,957 tCO2eq from newly included sources such as industry, port works, and ship waste.
The breakdown of emissions is as follows:
- Ships (64%): The largest contributor, including emissions from port arrivals, dock stays, and anchoring.
- Port concessions & others (29%): Emissions from terminals, industrial activities, port services, and Port Vell.
- Construction & waste (4%): Emissions from port construction and waste management, including MARPOL waste.
- Land mobility (3%): Emissions from trucks, tractors, passenger cars, and trains operating within the port
This certification guarantees reliable data for future comparisons and is integral to the Energy Transition Plan, set for publication in 2025. Hèctor Calls, Director of Environmental Sustainability and Energy Transition, emphasized that the carbon footprint will inform strategies to transform the port into a sustainable energy hub.
The port's ongoing initiatives, such as the promotion of sustainable fuels and electrifying transport, are designed to support the global decarbonization of the logistics chain. The Energy Transition Plan will also help monitor the port’s progress toward carbon neutrality by 2030.
Notably, the port launched its first onshore power supply (OPS) system in 2024, enabling ships to power down their engines using 100% renewable energy while docked, further reducing emissions.
Laia Bonet, First Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, emphasized the city's commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility in reducing emissions. She praised the OPS system as a clear example of this shared goal and called for more terminals with similar capabilities at the port.