Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports

The document examines the dual role of U.S. ports as both victims of climate change (facing sea level rise and extreme storms) and contributors to it through significant greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. It details mitigation strategies such as electrification of machinery, shore powering for berthed ships, and the adoption of renewable energy. It also discusses adaptation measures, contrasting 'gray infrastructure' like seawalls with nature-based solutions such as mangrove restoration and living shorelines. The brief highlights specific initiatives at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Savannah, Miami, and others, while noting the role of EPA programs and international certifications in driving sustainability.

• The three largest U.S. ports—Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York and New Jersey—emitted more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2019, with heavy-duty vehicles alone accounting for over one million tons of that total.
• Electrification of port equipment significantly reduces emissions and costs; for instance, electric cranes can lower carbon dioxide emissions by 60 to 80 percent and reduce repair costs by 30 percent compared to diesel versions.
• Shore powering facilities, which allow berthed ships to shut off engines, can reduce air pollution from those ships by up to 98 percent. The Port of Los Angeles leads globally with 79 such hookups.
• California's Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth regulation, expanded in 2020, is estimated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to prevent 237 premature deaths and reduce cancer risk by 55 percent for communities near the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Richmond.
• Ports are adopting both gray infrastructure (e.g., concrete barrier walls) and nature-based solutions (e.g., wetlands, mangroves, and living shorelines) to combat sea level rise and flooding, with nature-based solutions offering additional biodiversity and water quality benefits.
• Operational efficiencies, such as shifting cargo from trucks to barges or rail, significantly reduce fuel use; one gallon of fuel moves one ton of cargo 647 miles by barge, compared to only 145 miles by truck.
• Dredged material is being used for coastal restoration and shoreline protection, such as the restoration of Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay, though the process can cause negative impacts like coral death due to sedimentation.

APA

Bertrand, S., & Williams, B. (2022). Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-at-u.s-ports-2022

Chicago

Bertrand, Savannah, and Bridget Williams. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2022. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-at-u.s-ports-2022.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bertrand |first1=Savannah |last2=Williams |first2=Bridget |title=Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=1 February 2022 |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-at-u.s-ports-2022 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bertrand2022climate, author = {Bertrand, Savannah and Williams, Bridget}, title = {{Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2022}, month = feb, url = {https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/issue-brief-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-at-u.s-ports-2022}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }