Responsibility for the ports of tomorrow
Sustainability has been a central element of bremenports’ corporate strategy since 2009. This latest Sustainability Report provides a transparent overview of the progress that has been achieved and the measures that are planned for the ongoing development of port infrastructure in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
The focus is on making the ports fit for the future: economically strong, ecologically responsible and socially fair. The challenges of climate change, the transition to green energy and constantly changing logistics are addressed with innovative projects and long-term strategies.
New reporting framework: VSME and Double Materiality Assessment
The latest Sustainability Report has been prepared in accordance with the VSME Standard (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs) for the first time and covers financial years 2024 and 2025. Foilowing the changeover from the previous GRI Standard to VSME, the report now also includes the Double Materiality Assessment (DMA). The DMA considers both the impact of Bremen’s port infrastructure on the environment and society, as well as the opportunities and risks resulting from external factors. The DMA conforms to European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and consequently satisfies more comprehensive requirements than the VSME.
This assessment served as the basis for identifying the essential sustainability topics and deriving the corresponding policies, targets and practices.
These are linked to the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations (SDGs) and form the core elements of our sustainability management.
Overview of the essential topics
E1 – Climate change and environment
Owing to its location directly beside the water, the port industry is directly affected by climate change. Rising sea levels and changing climatic conditions call for adaptation practices that will ensure smooth operations and minimise the risks of climate change.
For the first time, the Sustainability Report includes a comprehensive presentation of our Scope 3 emissions. These refer to indirect emissions, for instance resulting from the purchase of goods and services (Scope 3.1). They also include emissions occurring on the sites of the Special Asset (Scope 3.13). Scope 3 emissions thus account for the greater part of the total emissions caused by bremenports and the Other Special Assets.
The VSME also considers the impact of bremenports and port infrastructure operations on the environment. Comprehensive legal requirements have to be observed for construction projects and this has created a distinctive feature in the approx. 1700 hectares of compensatory mitigation sites created and managed by bremenports.
E5 – Circular economy
Port management with minimum resource consumption is a central target and is an intrinsic part of responsible port operations. Significant quantities of materials occur in particular in connection with maintenance of the water depths. These include substantial quantities of dredging spoils that have to be disposed of or treated. Using dredging spoils as a building material not only saves natural resources but also provides financial benefits. Accordingly, bremenports endeavours to return suitable dredged material to other water locations or use it as a building material.
S1 – Own workforce
Operating a port is highly labour-intensive. Qualified and committed staff are therefore a central requirement for successful port operations. bremenports attaches great importance to the health, satisfaction and productivity of its employees and therefore subsidises a wide variety of offers in the fields of health, exercise and nutrition to promote the wellbeing of our workforce. Moreover, bremenports also encourages continuous professional and personal development. Our employees attend an average of 16 training lessons per annum.
S3 – Affected communities
In the course of the DMA, the topic “Affected communities” was identified as essential. Although this topic is not part of VSME reporting, it is covered by the ESRS. In view of the diverse relationships between bremenports and different stakeholder groups as well as the significant effects of current geopolitical developments on the port industry, bremenports rates this topic as highly important. Accordingly, a policy was developed, together with the corresponding targets and practices, and is included in this latest Sustainability Report.
G1 – Governance
The Sustainability Report provides comprehensive information about governance at bremenports. It shows the principles on which the company acts and how it ensures responsible and transparent conduct in compliance with the relevant rules and regulations. The focus is on the composition and work of the Supervisory Board as well as how the company addresses the subjects of corruption prevention and combatting bribery. The report also presents the policy, targets and practices deployed by bremenports to promote integrity and compliance within the company.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
17 goals for sustainable development
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form part of the Agenda 2030 that was resolved by all member states of the United Nations in 2015. They combine ecological, social and economic goals and are intended to promote sustainable development worldwide: from climate protection and conservation of resources to decent working conditions as well as peace and social justice.
These goals are aimed not only at countries, but also at business enterprises. The bremenports Sustainability Report shows how the company takes action to help achieve the SDGs and assumes responsibility for sustainable development at the ports of Bremen.
