/ Air & climate
/ Air
At the Port of Vancouver USA, we’re working to reduce emissions and improve air quality as part of our broader sustainability goals. Our Climate Action Plan guides efforts to cut greenhouse gases and support the region’s clean energy future.
/ Climate Action Plan
The Port of Vancouver USA is committed to building a more sustainable future—one that supports the health of our economy, our community, and the environment. Through our long-standing WE CAN! Sustainability Program, we continue to explore innovative solutions that reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and protect the natural resources we all depend on.
In 2021, the port finalized a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide our efforts in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This plan, aligned with our Strategic Plan, sets us on a path toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
The CAP outlines a flexible, actionable roadmap for both short- and long-term progress, including building upgrades, electrification, clean transportation, and operational efficiencies. Implementation is already underway, and we’re proud to be making steady progress with new policies, infrastructure investments, and cross-sector collaboration.
CAP GOALS
The Climate Action Plan targets a 45-50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with carbon neutrality by 2050. It also outlines strategies to support Scope 3 reductions across tenant businesses and community operations.
Climate Action
/ Progress
The Port of Vancouver USA is making steady progress toward our 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal. As of 2023, we’ve reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 973 MTCO₂e per year—about 60% below our 2005 baseline. That’s equivalent to taking 232 gas-powered cars off the road for a year. View our 2023 GHG Inventory Summary.
/ Emissions Reduction Progress
As of 2024, the port has made substantial progress towards its climate action commitments. Since finalizing the Climate Action Plan, the port has implemented several measures to reduce emissions, as summarized below.
There are three standardized ways of measuring GHG emissions:
Scope 1
Direct emissions from sources owned and controlled by the port.
Scope 2
Direct emissions from sources owned and controlled by the port.
Scope 3
Indirect emissions from the port’s tenants, suppliers, and other aspects of its value chain. These emissions are out of the port’s direct control.
Emissions from Port-owned and Controlled Activities (Scope 1 & 2)
The following highlights the progress the port has made towards reducing Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since finalizing the CAP in 2021.
Electricity
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Electricity that is purchased by the port. Scope 2 emissions physically occur at the facility where electricity is generated.
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The port continues to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset its use of grid electricity and is planning rooftop solar installations to further reduce emissions. Through its purchases over the last 16 years, the port has offset 64,591 metric tons of CO2.
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LED lighting valuations for future upgrades were performed with Clark Public Utilities for four port occupied buildings. Since 2008, upgrades to port- owned buildings saved over 2.4 million kWh per year.
On-Road Fleet Vehicles
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Emissions from vehicles that the port owns or leases to support its operations. The port has a 10-year plan for installing EV charging stations to support its growing EV fleet which includes a Department of Commerce grant to install nine Level 2 and one Level 3 electric vehicle charging stations on the port terminals. The port installed a two-unit, Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at its administrative offices for public and staff use in August 2018.
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The port continues to expand its fleet of EVs, including an all-electric Ford Mach-E sedan, two Ford electric E-transit vans and six electric Ford Lightning pickup trucks to integrate into the existing fleet. Three additional electric Ford Lightning pickup trucks have been ordered for delivery in 2025. These EVs are used by facilities, terminal operations, administration and security departments.
Stationary Combustion
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Emissions from the port's stationary equipment such as heaters, generators, emergency backup power systems, portable power plants, auxiliary engines, etc. This includes emissions from natural gas combustion in buildings owned and operated by the port.
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The port completed engineering plans for HVAC upgrades in the administrative building to replace 14 natural gas units with all-electric in 2025.
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One all-electric HVAC unit was added to the port's computer server equipment room to provide adequate ventilation.
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The port developed sustainable design and construction standards for the Terminal 1 project, achieving LEED for Neighborhood Development certification.
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The first completed project at Terminal 1, The AC by Marriot, opened its doors in 2022 and received LEED Gold certification.
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All buildings constructed at Terminal 1 will be minimum LEED Gold certified.
Off-Road Equipment
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Emissions from equipment such as mobile cranes, or off-road vehicles such as construction equipment.
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All qualified port equipment is now using 100% renewable diesel following a successful trial in 2022. Renewable diesel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats and produces up to 65% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel fuel's life cycle.
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Equipment is also being converted to electric where possible. A Hyster J70XN electronic forklift was received in 2023 and a Toyota THDE3000-24 electric forklift was ordered in 2024 through a Department of Ecology grant.
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The port replaced a gasoline-powered John Deere Gator with an all-electric Polaris Ranger all-terrain vehicle (ATV) used frequently by the facilities department.
Under the CAP, the port is also working to reduce Scope 3 emissions
Those outside its direct control but within its influence. This requires close coordination with tenants, vendors, and customers to gather data and take action. While not a measured goal, reducing Scope 3 emissions remains a key focus, and the port continues to make progress.
Commuting
- Hybrid work options reduce employee commute emissions.
- Partnered with C-TRAN to promote The Current, an on-demand shuttle to port properties.
Energy Use in Tenant Spaces
- Replaced 9 gas HVAC units with all-electric systems.
- Installed LED lighting and completed evaluations for future upgrades with Clark Public Utilities.
Water & Infrastructure
- Integrated green stormwater systems and upgraded water infrastructure to reduce emissions tied to water use.
Sustainable Leasing
- Added climate considerations to project review processes.
- Updated lease templates to support energy data sharing with tenants.
Shore Power
- Available at Berths 13 & 14 and newly added at Terminal 5, expected to cut emissions by up to 370,000 MT CO₂e.
- Terminal 1 dock designed to support future cruise ship shore power.
Grant Funding
/ Efforts
In 2024, the port secured three major grants to support climate action: