Digital Knowledge System

Climate change mitigation via decarbonization and restoration

Portugal

Aerial view of a busy Portuguese container port with cargo ships and cranes in Centro Region, highlighting maritime logistics and the need for green port infrastructure in Portugal

Technological development of a platform to calculate climate balance/neutrality at territorial level using a dual approach: decarbonization of human activities and blue carbon sequestration. 

Main Target

Biodiversity restoration and climate change adaptation

Transformative Impact

Technological development of a platform to calculate climate balance/neutrality at territorial level using a dual approach: decarbonization of human activities and blue carbon sequestration will have an important impact on the port activities and administration and will accelerate the transition to a carbon neutral area.

Implemented Actions

Port of Aveiro sustainability team compiling GHG inventory data from ships, rail, and cargo equipment for the 1990-2022 baseline in Portugal.

GHG Inventory

Quantified CO2 emissions from ships, rail, heavy-duty vehicles, and handling equipment to establish a 1990-2022 baseline.

Scenario modeling dashboard comparing hydrogen, methanol, electrification, and modal shift pathways to decarbonize Portuguese port logistics.

Scenario Modeling

Evaluated hydrogen, methanol, advanced biofuels, electrification, and road-to-rail shifts to identify the most effective decarbonization pathways.

Stakeholders in Portugal's Centro Region aligning long-term decarbonization roadmap milestones for port operations.

Decarbonisation Roadmap

Set clear targets for 2025, 2030, 2040, and 2050, supported by structured stakeholder engagement to guide implementation.

Technician using an EMEP/EEA-based CO2 emissions calculator to evaluate asset-level and supply-chain footprints for Portuguese ports.

CO2 Emissions Calculator

Deployed an EMEP/EEA-based web tool offering three tiers of analysis, from individual assets to full supply chains, with exportable results.

Ria de Aveiro tour boat operating on B15 and E10 biofuel blends to showcase reduced maritime emissions in Portugal.

Biofuel Trials

Tested B15 and E10 fuel blends in Ria de Aveiro tour boats to demonstrate real-world emission reductions and build stakeholder confidence.

Key Indicators

Number of usersTypes of vesselsTotal quantity of calculated carbon footprintReduction of the carbon footprintRelevance for the users (based on their feedback)