Montreal commits to carbon neutrality by 2035

The Port of Montreal has made a series of commitments towards

interface at its Grand Quay.

The announcement was made at the second annual Montreal Climate Summit

during a speech by Martin Imbleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the

Montreal Port Authority.

A few weeks after the launch of its Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the Montreal

Port Authority (MPA) provided an update on its key objectives for

decarbonisation, climate change adaptation, and land protection.

MPA said that Scopes 1, 2 and 3 absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,

for which the MPA is fully responsible will be reduced by 55 per cent by 2030,

leading to carbon neutrality by 2035. These cover rail operations on its

intermodal network, management of its buildings, and vehicle fleet as well as

its infrastructure works.

Scope 3 absolute GHG emissions, for which the MPA is not fully responsible,

covering those generated by logistics companies located on port territory, will

be reduced by 40 per cent by 2040, leading to carbon neutrality by 2050.

To achieve these objectives, the MPA aims to adopt new energy practices,

including shore power and the use of sustainable fuels, along with the reduction

of emissions from trucks and port trains in collaboration with the MPA’s partner

companies.

Additionally, in pursuit of greater protection of biodiversity, 30 per cent

of the territories under the management of the MPA will be protected as a

national wildlife area. 

To further improve the integration of port activities into the urban

fabric, CAD10 million ($7.4 million) will be invested over the next five years

in city-port interface projects.

Greening projects will also be rolled out, such as a commitment to plant

3,000 trees over five years as part of the Port of Montreal’s renewed

participation in the Montreal Urban Forest Leaders Committee.

“The Port of Montreal is at the forefront of decarbonisation,” said Martin

Imbleau.

“Ramping up the fight against climate change and accelerating

decarbonisation are not only moral obligations, but also opportunities to

innovate, invent new solutions, and stand out.”

This announcement comes a year after the Montreal Port Authority (MPA)

joined the United Nations Global Compact for the implementation and promotion of

sustainable business development.

More recently, maritime intelligence company, Global Spatial Technology

Solutions (GSTS), announced that it will collaborate with the Montreal Port

Authority (MPA) in providing a green shipping corridor capability using the

firm’s OCIANA platform.