Port Houston Vows to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050

Port Houston has vowed to become carbon neutral by 2050, with plans in place to upgrade technology, improve infrastructure and equipment and utilize alternative fuels and clean energy sources.

Port Houston, which has already cut its carbon footprint by 55 percent since 2016, said over the next three years it would install smart lighting at its facilities, improve gate and navigation efficiencies and create some 800 acres of new wildlife habitat.

The breakbulk handling facility is also planning to eliminate dockside emissions, transition trucks to low or zero-emission vehicles, introduce green shipping corridors and switch to green marine and road fuels.

The plans will build on a sustainability action plan, launched last year, consisting of 27 initiatives to advance the port’s environmental goals, from installing solar energy systems to boosting green spaces for local communities.

“Our goal is ambitious, but we must be practical in how we achieve it. The choices we make will be good for the environment and also good for the economy and the millions of people who rely on the Houston Ship Channel and Port Houston for their jobs,” said Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.

“As with most ambitious goals, we cannot do it alone. Collaboration and partnership will be keys to our success."

Other ports in the US have announced similar plans to decarbonize.

Late last year, Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution calling on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to ensure incoming vessels at those facilities run on zero-emission fuels by 2030.


Port Houston will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Americas 2022, taking place on 27-29 September at the George R. Brown Convention Centre, Houston, Texas.

PHOTOS: Port Houston terminals CREDIT: Port Houston