Port environmental management

Potential environmental impacts are at the forefront of planning for the new terminal facility. Since 1991, before ‘green issues’ became fashionable or political, the environment was a central consideration for Bristol Port alongside its commercial growth.  For more than a decade now the Port has worked with wildlife and conservation organisations to protect the local environment.

This is evidenced through a range of conservation projects to actively enhance wildlife habitats in the port estate.

Some 96 hectares of wildlife corridors help maintain a wide variety of habitats for animals and plants, whilst creating green links to allow safe movement of mobile species; Conservation projects have helped protect all UK species of owl which now reside or winter in the port estate, and the now nationally scarce water vole; ponds have been created; badger and otter passes installed; exclusion areas, nesting cliffs and graveled nest sites have been created. A policy of sustainable development means that while port expansion has created pressure on some green areas, any loss of green land or effects on wildlife corridors is offset by converting areas of agricultural land for wildlife conservation.

See the Port's publication  Conservation and the Environment for further details.

The Port is also committed to good resource and environmental management practices which have achieved significant improvements in port operations.

Commitment to renewable energy means that 75% of the port’s electricity needs are met by three wind turbines in Avonmouth Dock, and two more are planned. Renewable rather than conventionally generated energy saves over 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year. Efficient resource management has environmental as well as economic benefits.  Sustainable resource practices include waste management, energy efficiency, monitoring of utilities, use of brownfield sites, re-use of demolition materials, sustainable drainage systems and recycling of waste. The conservation importance of the marine environment is recognised by the designation of the Severn Estuary’s habitats and species under national, European and international law. The Port is committed to consider nature conservation and biodiversity in all its functions and manages its operations in a responsible manner.