Environment
Belfast Harbour is committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals across the organisation.
Our 2025-29 ‘Advance Regional Prosperity’ Strategy has the aim to Accelerate to Net Zero at its core. That mission is at the heart of everything we do.
By putting People, Planet, Place and Partnerships at the centre of our organisation, we are developing a port and estate which are driving growth in the regional economy while delivering strong environmental performance.
Committed to Change
We take a leading role in collaborating with tenants and port customers to drive the systemic changes necessary to address our environmental impact. We are proud to be leading by example.
Since 2015 we have seen a 71% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in our own operations, and by 2027 we expect to have reduced these by over 93%. We are on track to be the first net zero port operator in the UK and the first on the island of Ireland.
Other key accomplishments include:
- We have achieved zero operational waste going to landfill, recycling 30% with the remaining 70% recovered for energy.
- Marine Gas Oil has now been fully replaced by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in our marine fleet, while we continue the electrification of our land vehicle fleet.
- All electricity used across Belfast Harbour Estate – including for some commercial tenants – now comes from REGO-certified renewable sources.
Recognised Achievements
We have been acknowledged for our achievements in promoting sustainability and environmental welfare, including receiving Business in the Community’s Platinum CORE Accreditation for Responsible Business, and the coveted Blue Flag status for our marina. Belfast Harbour has also maintained its Platinum status in the BITC NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey for 16 years, and has been reaccredited Platinum under BITC’s Business & Biodiversity Charter.
A Haven for Biodiversity
Belfast Harbour is home to a wide range of animal and plant life, from insect life and wildfowl, to seals and even the occasional whale!
Working in partnership with local wildlife and environmental organisations, we are always striving to find new and innovative ways to develop and support habitats and ecosystems, including our native oyster nursery, alongside Ulster Wildlife Trust, as well as hosting the RSPB’s Window on Wildlife reserve.
The opening of our new City Quays Gardens in May 2025 also provides an urban ‘green space’ to support health and well-being and increase biodiversity in the area. The Gardens have been developed with sustainability and environmental excellence as a key design focus to achieve the ‘One Planet Living’ environmental accreditation, a first in Northern Ireland.
Building Sustainable Futures
Sustainability is also key to our property and development portfolio. All three of our City Quays office buildings, along with the second phase of Belfast Harbour Studios and the Manfreight warehouse, which was completed in 2024, have been developed to comply with BREEAM ‘Excellent’ ratings, an industry recognised award for sustainability, which places them in the top 10% of sustainable new buildings in the UK.
