2021 Sustainability Progress
Background
Sustainability is a key priority for GeelongPort and is reflected as a pillar in our values.
To drive towards our vision to be Australia’s most sustainable bulk port GeelongPort has four key focus areas:
- Minimising resource use
- Eliminating waste and emissions
- Nurturing our port land
- Supporting an appealing and healthy Corio Bay and environs
These pillars lay the foundation for our approach to sustainability and guide the actions we undertake in pursuit of achieving our vision. They reflect our operational impact profile, our professional influencing potential and the industries we exist to support.
GRESB Update 2021
SDG Alignment
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere.*
GeelongPort has identified 8 SDGs that we can make a meaningful contribution towards:
Progressing our environmental actions in line with our ultimate vision will make a positive contribution to the SDGs both directly through our own operations, as well as indirectly via our sphere of influence.
* The Sustainable Development Agenda – United Nations Sustainable Development
2021 ESG Performance
Our ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) performance reflects how we are tracking towards achievement of our sustainability targets. Key actions were identified for the year and performance measured as outlined below:
Environment
| Target | Actual | Target Met? | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Reportable Incidents | 0 | 4 | ⬤ | Incidents were a mix of low severity events (1x moderate, 2x minor, 1x insignificant). All events led to a review and improvement in training practices, processes, environmental controls. |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions * Scope 1 Scope 2 Total | 281 t CO₂e 1950 t CO₂e 2231 t CO₂e | 427 t CO₂e 1802 t CO₂e 2229 t CO₂e | ⬤
⬤ ⬤ | Scope 1 emissions were higher as there was an increase in diesel used in mobile equipment on site. |
| Solid Waste Diverted from Landfill | 75% | 93% | ⬤ | Recycled sand from the development of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal saved 700t waste from going to landfill. |
*Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Scope 1 – Includes direct emissions such as emissions associated with vehicle use.
- Scope 2 – Includes indirect emissions such as purchased electricity.
- Scope 3 – Includes downstream value chain emissions such as emissions associated with waste.
GeelongPort has committed to the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) to reduce our scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 base year, and to measure and reduce our scope 3 emissions.
Case Study: First port in Australia to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification
GeelongPort has become the first port in Australia to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification for its business operations.
Reaching carbon neutrality was one of the long-term objectives in GeelongPort’s 20-year Environment Strategy released in 2019. GeelongPort is delivering on this objective by sourcing renewable energy and offsetting all residual carbon emissions.
GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter is thrilled that GeelongPort has become the first port in Australia to be Climate Active carbon neutral certified for its business operations.
Read more: First port in Australia to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification
Case Study: Barwon Region Renewable Energy Project
The GeelongPort 20-year Environment Strategy is focussed on minimising resource use and has a long-term objective to source all energy from renewable sources. GeelongPort is part of a regional consortium exploring a Power Purchase Agreement to assist in meeting this objective.
- The objective: provide for all of GeelongPort’s electricity needs with renewable electricity and deliver on the Port’s business strategy value of sustainability
- Business response: Over the last 18 months a feasibility study has been conducted which highlighted the potential for a wind project in the Barwon region. Currently, a business case is being prepared for approval by all consortium members prior to proceeding to tender.
Benefits: Alignment with business strategy value of sustainability, meet Environment Strategy objective of 100% renewable energy, assist GeelongPort to meet its Science Based Target initiative commitment to halve Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and demonstrate visible leadership in the Geelong Region.
Case Study: PonyUp for Good Partnership
GeelongPort maintains a partnership with local social enterprise PonyUp for Good. PonyUp takes GeelongPort e-waste and through recycling or refurbishment, uses its profits to provide meals for those in need through Second Bite.
- The objective: comply with the new Victorian EPA ban on sending e-waste to landfill
- Business response: Development of a partnership with PonyUp to ensure compliant e-waste disposal practices with the benefit of a social impact. In 2021, this partnership had kept 425kg of technology out of landfill and had allowed 100 fresh meals to be donated through SecondBite.
Benefits: Alignment with business strategy value of sustainability, assisting GeelongPort to meet the Environment Strategy objective of no waste to landfill, and demonstrating visible leadership in the Geelong Region.
Social
| Target | Actual | Target Met? | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Safety Significant incidents Actual incidents Potential incidents | 0 <2 | 0 0 | ⬤ | GeelongPort commenced use of the BowTie risk control verification model to begin assessing the number and level of controls in the management of critical risk. This important tool is central to GeelongPort avoiding significant incidents through risk minimization. |
| Verified community complaints | 0 | 1 | ⬤ | Elevated dust was identified by a local community member. This complaint was investigated, monitored, and was managed via a number of short stoppages. The community member was kept updated throughout and satisified with the response. |
| Stakeholder Net Promoter Score (NPS) | +50 | +76 | ⬤ | Stakeholders positively responded to GeelongPort’s increasing openness and engagement with the community. |
Case Study: GeelongPort launches inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan
In November 2021, GeelongPort took a major step forward in its reconciliation journey by launching the organisation’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in partnership with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, GeelongPort’s Reflect RAP will deliver meaningful activity that will contribute to GeelongPort’s reconciliation vision of a unified community that deeply understands, values and appreciates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and connection to Country.
To celebrate the historic milestone, GeelongPort staff were joined by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles who conducted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony outside GeelongPort head office, overlooking Corio Bay.
Read more: GeelongPort launches inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan
Governance
| Target | Actual | Target Met? | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity incidents | 0 | 0 | ⬤ | GeelongPort has completed an IT Transition Project which established our own security controls and measure. This includes but is not limited to updated hardware & software, along with the implementation of industry leading tools, Cyber Security prevention and protection tools. This has vastly increased GeelongPorts ability to detect potential Cyber Security Incidents and act on them accordingly. |
| Staff trained in Code of Conduct | 100% | 100% | ⬤ | All GeelongPort staff completed Code of Conduct training. |
Case Study: Modern Slavery Working Group
Modern slavery is a global issue that negatively impacts the human rights of individuals worldwide. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated that over 40million men, women and children were victims of modern slavery on any given day in 2016.
Although GeelongPort is not required under legislation to formally report on modern slavery risk, we understand that all businesses have a role to play in addressing and respecting human rights in our operations and supply chain.
In December 2021, GeelongPort established a modern slavery working group. This group is made up of representatives from across the business who will work together to map a course and implement initiatives that will help us to assess and address modern slavery risks.
