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Methods for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Baltic Sea Ports: A Comparative Study

Author

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  • Mari-Liis Tombak

    (Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallinn University of Technology, Kopli 101, 11712 Tallinn, Estonia
    Institute of Logistics, TTK University of Applied Sciences, Pärnu mnt 62, 10135 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Ulla Tapaninen

    (Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallinn University of Technology, Kopli 101, 11712 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Jonne Kotta

    (Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallinn University of Technology, Kopli 101, 11712 Tallinn, Estonia
    Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

Ports are vital nodes of maritime transport. To be able to decrease their GHG emissions, ports have developed various automated or semiautomated tools for emission assessment. In this study, we focus on an open-source tool called EVISA and compare how seven Baltic Sea ports are using this tool. We found that the results of these assessments are incomparable, all the ports use the tool differently, and report different numbers of emissions. We also compare how one port, the Port of Tallinn, uses two different tools and ends up with different numbers of emissions. The study offers a detailed comparison of the port-specific methods, data collection processes, and calculation principles, evaluating their effectiveness in measuring emissions from maritime transport in ports. Additionally, it highlights the pressing need for standardised greenhouse gas emission mapping methodologies in ports. The results highlight the need to create a cohesive, easy-to-use tool that complies with established standards like the GHG Protocol, IPCC guidelines, and ISO 14064.

Suggested Citation

  • Mari-Liis Tombak & Ulla Tapaninen & Jonne Kotta, 2025. "Methods for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Baltic Sea Ports: A Comparative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:639-:d:1567752
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Clarke & Philip Chan & Matthew Dequeljoe & Yuri Kim & Sarah Barahona, 2023. "CO2 emissions from global shipping: A new experimental database," OECD Statistics Working Papers 2023/04, OECD Publishing.
    2. Jonne Kotta & Mihhail Fetissov & Ellen Kaasik & Janis Väät & Stanislav Štõkov & Ulla Pirita Tapaninen, 2023. "Towards Efficient Mapping of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Case Study of the Port of Tallinn," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-13, June.
    3. Sahar Azarkamand & Chris Wooldridge & R. M. Darbra, 2020. "Review of Initiatives and Methodologies to Reduce CO 2 Emissions and Climate Change Effects in Ports," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Tichavska, Miluše & Tovar, Beatriz & Gritsenko, Daria & Johansson, Lasse & Jalkanen, Jukka Pekka, 2019. "Air emissions from ships in port: Does regulation make a difference?," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 128-140.
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