Sri Lanka's First Public Private Partnership Container Terminal Reduces Carbon Footprint by 25%

Strategic Insights -

The South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Sri Lanka's first Public Private Partnership container terminal in the Colombo Port, has achieved a significant reduction in its overall carbon footprint for the 2022/23 financial year. The terminal's sustainability report for 2022/23 reveals that SAGT reduced its carbon emissions by 25 percent, resulting in the reduction of 5,301 Metric Tonnes of carbon emissions from being released into the environment. This remarkable achievement was primarily due to a reduction in scope one carbon emissions, which were lowered by 35 percent through investments and initiatives such as the conversion of rubber tyred gantries from diesel to hybrid electric-diesel power.

Key Takeaways:

  • SAGT reduced its overall carbon footprint by 25 percent in the 2022/23 financial year, resulting in a reduction of 5,301 Metric Tonnes of carbon emissions.
  • The terminal's scope one carbon footprint reduced by 35 percent, primarily due to the conversion of rubber tyred gantries from diesel to hybrid electric-diesel power.
  • SAGT's scope two carbon footprint decreased by 9 percent, mainly attributable to a 12 percent reduction in ship-to-shore crane electricity consumption.
  • The company entered into a partnership with Greenstat Hydrogen (Pvt) Ltd to formulate a strategic plan to accelerate electrification and decarbonisation at the Colombo Port.
  • SAGT committed to investing in two organised restoration projects, including the reforestation of five acres of the Yagirala forest reserve and the restoration of five acres of Mangroves in the Bentara River mangrove complex.
  • The company sought membership in the UN Global Compact, further underscoring its commitment to upholding and working towards global sustainable development goals.
  • SAGT also committed to partially fund the restoration of the national Thriposha nutrition program, which addresses malnutrition in pregnant and lactating mothers and children under five years.

Statistics:

  • 5,301 Metric Tonnes: reduction in carbon emissions from being released into the environment.
  • 35 percent: reduction in scope one carbon footprint.
  • 9 percent: decrease in scope two carbon footprint.
  • 12 percent: reduction in ship-to-shore crane electricity consumption.
  • 2,732 tons: offset of carbon emissions through the reforestation of five acres of the Yagirala forest reserve and the restoration of five acres of Mangroves in the Bentara River mangrove complex.
  • Rs. 180 million: value of the milk powder donated by SAGT to partially fund the restoration of the national Thriposha nutrition program.

Sources:

  • SAGT's sustainability report for 2022/23
  • Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)