Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation at U.S. Ports

This issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines how U.S. ports are addressing climate change through mitigation strategies—such as electrification and renewable energy—and adaptation measures, including gray infrastructure and nature-based solutions, to protect operations and improve the health of near-port communities.

• U.S. ports are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants that negatively impact the health of nearby low-income communities and communities of color. In 2019, the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York and New Jersey collectively emitted more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
• Electrification of port machinery and shore powering for berthed ships are key mitigation strategies. Electric cranes can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 to 80 percent and lower repair costs by 30 percent compared to diesel versions. Shore powering facilities can reduce air pollution from berthed ships by up to 98 percent.
• Specific electrification projects have yielded measurable diesel savings. The Port of Savannah electrified 104 refrigerated container racks, saving over 5.5 million gallons of diesel annually. Additionally, the Georgia Port Authority's electric rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes use 95 percent less diesel fuel than standard models, saving $2.2 million in annual fuel costs.
• Regulatory measures in California have significantly reduced port emissions. The Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth regulation helped California ports achieve an 80 percent reduction in emissions from berthed ships since 2014. A 2020 expansion of this rule is estimated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to prevent 237 premature deaths and save over $2.3 billion in healthcare costs.
• Ports are adopting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures to lower their carbon footprints. The Port of Seattle's solar panels produce 120,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually, while the Port of Long Beach's 2016 solar installations reduce CO2 emissions by over 1,000 tons per year. The Port of Miami has utilized LEED-certified structures and white reflective roofing for passive cooling.
• Operational changes to transportation and logistics can reduce fuel waste. Moving cargo by barge is more efficient than by truck, with one gallon of fuel moving one ton of cargo 647 miles by barge compared to 145 miles by truck. The Port of Cincinnati improved efficiency by relocating loading yards to prioritize rail over trucks.
• Ports are utilizing both gray infrastructure (e.g., concrete barrier walls) and nature-based solutions to adapt to sea level rise and flooding. Nature-based solutions, such as the 40 acres of mangroves restored by the Port of Miami, provide biodiversity and water quality benefits. The Port of Portland uses rain gardens and vegetated swales for stormwater management.
• Dredged material is being repurposed for coastal restoration, though it carries ecological risks. The Maryland Port Administration uses dredged material to restore Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay. However, dredging can cause widespread coral death, as seen at the Port of Miami where reefs were covered in sediment.

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} }