Port of Rotterdam Authority introduces Carbonbid, a sustainability initiative. This allows companies to receive financial support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the port area. Through this initiative, the Port Authority aims to lower the threshold for companies to accelerate the implementation of their ideas for sustainability. Carbonbid is part of a larger package of initiatives to make the port climate neutral and future-proof.

Carbonbid focuses on emissions in the Rotterdam port area, both from logistics and industry, with the exception of emissions covered by the European Emissions Trading System. All companies that can demonstrate a contribution to reducing these emissions are eligible to participate. In addition to companies based in the port, this could include start-ups, service providers, and manufacturers of machinery and equipment. The Port Authority is making a total of €3.5 million available for Carbonbid. Companies may participate by submitting a project proposal, requesting the amount needed for implementation. Cost-effectiveness is a decisive factor in the allocation of funding. Plans with the highest reduction per euro requested will be considered first for a contribution, until the Carbonbid budget has been spent.

Investing in the port’s climate challenge
Matthijs van Doorn, Commercial Director at the Port of Rotterdam Authority: “The climate challenge facing the Port of Rotterdam is considerable, and its success will determine the future of the port. As the manager and developer of the area, the Port Authority is therefore constantly looking at ways in which it can contribute to reducing emissions by companies in the port, while maintaining an attractive investment climate. We are already working on many different projects for the energy and raw materials transition, and since last year we’ve been negotiating agreements with companies based in the port to reduce their emissions. Customers who invest in sustainability will receive a discount on their rent. Carbonbid is a pilot project aimed at discovering whether targeted financial assistance can make it more attractive for companies to accelerate the reduction of emissions in the port area. This allows us to tap into the knowledge and creativity of entrepreneurs themselves. After all, they know best what works in practice.”

Conditions for participation
Parties may register before 18 July and apply for up to €700,000 for their project. The total budget will be divided among at least five projects. Proposals eligible for Carbonbid are projects that have not yet started, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100 tons, and will be implemented in the port area by 2030. The pilot focuses on reducing emissions from activities for which there are currently few other regulations. Existing regulations focus primarily on large, energy-intensive producers. Emissions covered by the European Emissions Trading System are therefore excluded from Carbonbid. For that reason, the expectation is that mainly medium-sized and small companies will participate, as well as larger companies with relatively low emissions. Significant steps are expected later this decade to reduce emissions from ETS companies by the phasing out of coal-fired power stations, the availability of CO2 storage in the port, and major sustainability projects, among other things.

Source: Port of Rotterdam