Peel Ports Group halves operational greenhouse gas emissions in five years

Peel Ports Group has achieved a 48% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions in the last five years, putting the UK’s second-largest port group on track to realise its ambitious goal of becoming net-zero across its port operations by 2040.

The Group’s third annual ESG and Sustainability report, which covers the 2025 financial year (FY25 – the 12 months ending 31 March 2025), details its progress against various ESG (environmental,  social, and governance) goals, with ambitious targets set around sustainability, health and safety, employee development, and community impact.

The independently verified figures confirm the group has reduced Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions across its UK port operations by a total of 48%, against its 2020 baseline and using a location-based accounting approach.

It comes as the port group’s achievements in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions were marked at the Mersey Maritime Awards in Liverpool on Thursday evening, with the operator announced as the Net Zero Champion.

In addition to the substantial emissions reduction, the Group has also reported the following achievements for FY25:

• A 6.8% reduction in electricity consumption, with a 2.8% reduction in overall energy use, compared to FY24
• 125 apprenticeships underway, up from 85 in FY24
• A 44% reduction in all injury rates since FY23
• 66,528 hours of training delivered across the Group, with an average of 33.6 training hours per employee.

Earlier this year the Group acquired five wind turbines at the Port of Liverpool, where its operations are headquartered. The turbines are expected to generate around 6GWh of clean electricity annually which will contribute to powering the port’s operations.

The turbines are part of a broader pipeline of renewables projects scheduled over the next 12 to 18 months, which are collectively expected to bring the proportion of Group-wide operations powered by renewable electricity to a third (33%).

FY25 also saw the launch of TECH365, the Group’s new technology and automation plan, bolstered by the appointment of Gavin Laybourne as the Group’s first Chief Information and Technology Officer (CTIO). The Group has committed several million over the coming years to deliver the plan, which will optimise existing systems, as well as embracing emerging innovations.

While the report celebrates progress made to date, importantly it also features bold targets for improving on this progress in the coming years, outlining the Group’s intention to:

• Achieve net-zero value chain (Scope 3) emissions by 2050, with a range of short-term deliverables to be implemented by 2030.
• Ensure that 50% of the energy provided to its ports, and port tenants, is renewable by 2030
• Create a climate adaptation plan for each port by 2028 (a plan has already been created for the Port of Liverpool,)
• Invest £40k annually towards scientific research focused on the protection, conservation and enhancement of marine biodiversity
• Achieve zero pollution incidents across port activities by 2028
• Achieve ‘zero harm’ (in relation to personal injuries) across operations by 2028.

Claudio Veritiero, Chief Executive Officer at Peel Ports Group said: “We take immense pride in the vital role we play in feeding, powering, and building the nation, but our responsibility extends far beyond this. We’re equally focused on operating responsibly and investing sustainably – to further support UK trade and stimulate regional economic growth and job creation, all while lessening our environmental footprint. We’re encouraged by having achieved a remarkable 48% reduction in operational carbon emissions over the last five years, and we’re well-placed to make more positive progress in the years to come.”

Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director, Port Services at Peel Ports Group said: “Our drive to grow our business sustainably, while reducing our environmental impact and supporting our people, has not been without its challenges, but it is a goal which every one of our teams has fully taken on board. Along with the £1.5bn we have invested in sustainable infrastructure over the last decade, we continue to get closer to achieving that goal every day by working together responsibly. Being recognised as the Net Zero Champion at the Mersey Maritime Awards is a strong endorsement of the progress we have made and a testament to the great work of our teams.