In this report we map out the extent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fossil fuel related activities at the Port of Rotterdam. We also describe the extent to which the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s climate plans contribute to cutting these emissions in line with the 1.5°C target set in the Paris Climate Agreement and the Dutch and EU target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
According to our calculations, the total GHG emissions related to the reported amount of fossil fuels entering the Port of Rotterdam amounted to 604 Mt CO2eq in 2023.This is more than 3.5 times the annual national emissions of the Netherlands. Crude oil and mineral oil products entering the port account for the largest share by far of these total GHG emissions: 83%. These products are used in part to make fuels for transport (road traffic, aviation, shipping) and feedstock for the chemical industry, with another part transported directly to other industrial clusters in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and elsewhere. Sooner or later, this will lead to GHG emissions further down the supply chain.The total GHG emissions from fossil fuel related activities in the Port of Rotterdam are not yet showing a downward trend. These emissions have been fairly constant since 2010.
The direct GHG emissions in the Rotterdam port area (referred to as Scope 1 emissions) amounted to 20.3 MtCO2 in 2023. This means that more than 96% of the total emissions, about 583 Mtonne CO2-eq. per year, take place outside the port area. These are what is known as Scope 3 emissions.