Port Authority of New South Wales Delivering Sustainability

Port Authority of NSW aspires to drive greater sustainability outcomes, which is why they were the 2022 winner of the Large Business Transformation Award in the NSW Sustainability Awards.

Port Authority set about taking some very large steps towards sustainability in areas that Australian ports were generally hesitant to undertake. Operating in all six commercial ports across NSW, Port Authority is uniquely placed to drive positive change across the maritime and shipping sector of NSW and beyond its own responsibilities.

Two years ago, Port Authority of NSW commenced a journey towards sustainability that would see green shoots appear across the business that are driving real change. It was a transformative journey driven by the passion of the small State-Owned Corporation’s staff, Executive and Board, under the leadership of a new CEO.

Around 20% of Port Authority’s staff were directly involved in the co-creation of the Sustainability Plan, using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a guideline to ensure it supported national and international goals and contributes to global sustainability efforts. The process dovetailed into the development of a new Strategic Plan for the business.

Over 40 potential social, environmental, economic and organisational initiatives were prioritised to create a sustainability plan with four key focus areas, 13 opportunity areas and a wide variety of potential initiatives.

Staff at all levels have adopted and implemented sustainability into their way of working, and the result has been a new approach to operating. In a very short period, Port Authority has managed to embed sustainability into the very values, vision and strategic plans and priorities of the business.

Four significant initiatives identified and progressed have been:

• Navigating to Net Zero by developing a carbon emissions reduction strategy and introducing initiatives to reach its Net Zero targets, but also leading industry and supporting others to achieve the same.

• Implementing industry leading noise management practices for Bays Port, ensuring the amenity of adjacent communities is respected and protected.

• Building sustainability into all procurement by embedding considerations for environmental sustainability, fair trade, transparent and ethical supply chains and respect for human rights when obtaining goods and services.

• Increasing Diversity and Inclusion across the organisation.

Port Authority’s actions have already allowed it to influence, leverage its leadership, and partner and collaborate with key stakeholders to drive sustainability initiatives and outcomes beyond its own boundaries, creating greater positive sustainable change.

Port Authority has committed and announced a worldfirst 100% renewable electricity shore powered precinct and a first shore powered cruise terminal in the southern hemisphere.

The commitment is a key element of an overall shift to acknowledge, address and reduce Scope 3 emissions from the shipping and ports sector in Australia.

The noise management and energy transition commitments are leading the way on how to be better neighbours and integrate with port communities. Port Authority is participating in key international and national forums that bring together similar minded stakeholders to share learnings and collaborate.

Two years in and the journey is really just starting to get interesting. Port Authority is ready to take on more challenges and continue to collaborate, learn and adapt while remaining bold in its ambitions and goals.