Environmental commitments and initiatives
Policies and standards: Namport has a range of environmental policies and operating standards, including ISO certifications, to guide its environmental practices.
Energy consumption: Namport is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint by 10 percent through alternative energy sources. Projects such as the feasibility study on solar and wind energy at the Port of Walvis Bay, and pilot project to convert a tugboat to hydrogen/diesel dual fuel technology, are currently being considered.
Water consumption: With increased business volumes leading to higher water usage, Namport is committed to using water efficiently and raising water conservation awareness among employees and stakeholders. Bulk water consumers use seawater and recycled water to minimise reliance on freshwater resources.
Waste management: Namport’s external waste contractors oversee waste management and disposal. Port reception facilities are provided for visiting vessels and port users to dispose of their waste. Hazardous waste is treated separately and disposed of at approved facilities.
Pollution: Namport has addressed hydraulic hose failures that resulted in oil spills and operational disruptions. We identified corrosive resistant materials and the adoption of better-quality hydraulic hoses to mitigate pollution risks.
Environmental education and awareness: Namport emphasises the importance of environmental education and awareness among its employees. Understanding the environmental impacts of their activities and adopting collective mitigation measures are key focus areas.
Environmental management: Namport's environmental management programme aligns with ISO14001:2015 standard. The objective is to minimise or eliminate any negative effects on the environment, nearby residents, or port users. Incidents such as hydraulic pipe bursts and air emissions non-conformities are reported and addressed through water suppression measures.
Namport is committed to environmental stewardship and continuously seeks opportunities to improve its sustainability practices, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. Namport has an environmental grievances channel and process for reporting incidents and concerns. In 2023, we received three environmental grievances related to noise, dust, and air pollution. We are resolving the underlying issues.
Carbon emissions reporting
We provide transparent reporting on our carbon emissions, using a clear set of boundaries to ensure accurate and reliable data. Our reporting follows the following categorisation:
Scope 1 (Direct emissions): This includes emissions from sources that are owned and directly controlled by Namport. This includes fuel combustion in vehicles and equipment. There has been an increase of 347 tCO2e in Scope 1 emissions compared to the previous year. This rise can primarily be attributed to higher fuel consumption (diesel and petrol) resulting from increased operational activities.
Scope 2 (Indirect electricity emissions): These emissions arise from the generation of electricity by the utility company, Erongo RED, which supplies electricity to our facilities. Scope 2 emissions have decreased by 537 tCO2e. This reduction is primarily due to lower electricity consumption at our facilities.
Scope 3 (Indirect emissions): This category encompasses a broad range of indirect greenhouse gas emissions resulting from activities outside of our direct control. Scope 3 emissions include emissions from our suppliers, customers and other external stakeholders. Examples of such emissions include those generated by our port tenants and vessels utilising our facilities.
By delineating our carbon emissions into these distinct scopes, we ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid double counting. Our commitment to carbon emissions reduction extends to all relevant aspects of our operations, including those within our control and those influenced by external parties. Through accurate reporting and clear boundaries, we strive to foster transparency and accountability in our sustainability efforts.
*The “e” in the CO2e stands for equivalent. CO2e is the standard unit for measure for greenhouse gases.
In 2023, we have closely monitored and analysed our carbon emissions, and the following are the key findings:
|
Namport launched Environmental Week Namport successfully launched its inaugural Environmental Week in June 2022, under the theme “Only One Earth”, and this coincided with World Environment Day (5 June) and World Oceans Day (8 June). Environmental Week activities included: Beat plastic pollution competition: Encouraging employees to shift from using plastic bags to more environmentally friendly alternatives when shopping. Tree planting: Establishing green belts within the port premises as part of Namport's corporate sustainability initiatives. Port clean-up campaign: Ensuring a clean and conducive environment for port users, tourists and vessels. Exhibiting at the World Oceans Day event: Namport participated in this event hosted by the Walvis Bay Municipality that focused on ocean conservation and preservation. To raise awareness leading up to Environmental Week, employees received reusable shopping bags, promoting the discontinuation of single-use plastic bags. Improper disposal of plastic waste poses a threat to the environment, biodiversity, ocean health, food safety, and quality, and human health. Plastic pollution also contributes to climate change. By actively addressing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices, Namport contributes to a cleaner and healthier planet. |
.jpg)
