Port of Newcastle says it has proceeded with its improvement direction, accomplishing its highest coveted Global Real Estate Benchmark (GRESB) score to date.
“For the world’s largest coal port to go from a GRESB score of 40 in our first assessment in 2019 to 96 in 2023 is a remarkable achievement and our continuous improvement shows that we have truly embedded ESG as a core principle across our business and our culture,” said Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody.
Regardless of trying environmental conditions, it saw solid exchange volumes across a few product exports including wheat, meals and grains export, and increased roll-on-roll project freight including wind turbine parts. The Port currently handles in excess of 25 distinct kinds of cargoes.
“We have been actively working to diversify our Port and to support a more sustainable future. Our Clean Energy Precinct will position us as a leading production, storage and export hub for future sustainable, clean energy products and technologies including hydrogen and green ammonia,” Carmody added.
Port of Newcastle CFO and ESG Strategy Lead, Nick Livesey, says the 5-star GRESB rating is held for the main 20% of overviewed organisations around the world and officially remembers them as industry pioneers in sustainability.
“Our diversified trade expansion and projects are supported by the work we have also completed to extend the scope of our 100 per cent renewable power purchase agreement, complete a port-wide energy efficient lighting upgrade, renew our Eco Ports certification, and switch our entire Port fleet to electric vehicles.
Our GRESB score recognises Port of Newcastle’s focused improvements in promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace as an employer of choice in the region, and our expanded delivery of health and wellbeing initiatives to support staff, including our WORK180 endorsement, flexible work arrangements and career development opportunities,” Livesey said.