Carbon footprint reveals needs for development – working towards a carbon-neutral port by 2029
In 2024, the Port of Turku carried out its first carbon footprint calculation in accordance with the GHG Protocol as a means of providing a comprehensive view of the port's climate impacts. The results show that the majority of emissions are generated by the value chain, but there is also room for development within our own operations.
We took a step towards more carbon neutral operations by commissioning Ecobio Ltd. to realise our first carbon footprint calculation in accordance with the GHG Protocol. The 2024 calculation covered Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and its results lay the foundation for the Port’s 2029 carbon neutrality target.
The total emissions were 2,950 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), most of which – as much as 93% – were Scope 3 emissions, i.e. indirect value chain emissions. Scope 1 and 2 emissions were significantly lower, with a total of only 7%, but they play a key role in our operations.
Direct emissions
Scope 1 emissions in 2024 totalled 79 tCO2e and were generated by the fuel consumption of the Port’s own vehicles and machinery.
“During 2025, we switched to bio-based fuels for our machinery, such as tractors, wheel loaders, a sweeper and work boats, which will significantly reduce Scope 1 emissions in future calculations. All of our passenger cars and vans are already electric”, says Markku Alahäme, Technical Director of the Port of Turku.
Emissions from purchased energy
Scope 2 emissions were 114 tCO2e and were generated by district heating production. A transition to renewable district heating could also reduce Scope 2 emissions to zero, which would be a significant step towards carbon neutrality.
“We use origin-guaranteed renewable electricity, so no emissions were generated from electricity use.”
Utilisation of results in development work
The carbon footprint calculation process revealed areas of development. The highest level of emissions came from the purchased products and services (1,179 tCO2e) and capital goods (1,202 tCO2e) in the Scope 3 category. Reducing these requires close co-operation with suppliers, for example, by setting emission data and emission reduction targets as procurement criteria.
“In the future, the calculation of smaller emission categories, such as waste treatment and commuting, can be further specified through the collection of more accurate data instead of estimates.”
The direction of emission reductions is beginning to show
“We’ve been reviewing the first emissions calculations. On the basis of these, we can now begin to identify concrete ways to reduce emissions. Heat has been identified as the largest single source of emissions, and we are especially looking at the first possible follow-up measures to deal with this”, Alahäme says.
In the future, this calculation will serve as the reference year that will enable us to monitor the progress of our emission reduction efforts.
Text: Heli Kaijansalo
Photos: Janne Stenroos, Ilari Välimäki & Markku Koivumäki
Carbon footprint calculation according to the GHG protocol – what does that even mean?
Companies can calculate the carbon footprint of their operations, i.e. the climate impacts, by determining the level of greenhouse gases they produce. The most widely used method for calculations is the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG), which provides clear guidelines for emission calculation and reporting.
The GHG Protocol covers seven major greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and converts them into a single unit of measurement: CO2 equivalent tonnes. The calculation is based on five principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency and accuracy.
The protocol divides emissions into three categories:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions, such as emissions from the company’s own vehicles or boilers.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the production of purchased energy.
- Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, such as the impacts of the value chain and travel.
The calculation can be limited in accordance with the activities the company owns or manages. Consistency is important in order to be able to compare the results from year to year.
Carbon footprint calculations
- Help companies to understand their climate impact
- Allow them to identify opportunities to reduce emissions
- Enable them to monitor the effectiveness of implemented measures
- Are an essential part of sustainability reporting.
- Are compatible with international reporting standards such as GRI and CSRD/ESRS.
Source: Ecobio Ltd’s carbon footprint calculation model report
