Sustainability & Climate Resilience
Zero Emissions
The Port is actively driving the transition to a cleaner, greener future through comprehensive zero-emission initiatives.
In collaboration with community-based organizations and industry stakeholders, the Port has been awarded a $322 million grant under the Environmental Protection Agency Clean Ports Program. This community-led grant program includes deploying over 475 zero emissions of drayage trucks and replacing approximately 188 pieces of diesel cargo handling equipment to zero emission units. The grant program also includes community engagement and facilitation support, installation of fence-line air quality monitors, workforce development, and a truck loaner program.
Similar to the Seaport, the Airport also partners with industry stakeholders and community members to advance zero emission operations. In partnership with United Parcel Service (UPS), the Port was awarded the EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant in the amount of $10 million. This grant will support the replacement of 60 UPS delivery trucks with battery-electric vehicles and the installation of chargers at three San Francisco Bay Area logistics centers (including 40 in East Oakland).
The Port and Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce held Oakland’s first environmental symposium. The event brought together maritime, aviation, commercial real estate, environmental, business, government, and community leaders to collaborate on innovative zero-emissions solutions.
Waterfront Resilience
Climate change will bring new challenges to the Oakland shoreline. Sea level rise and associated flooding from higher tides, bigger storms, and rising groundwater, could threaten critical infrastructure, services, utilities, and neighboring waterfront communities. To address these challenges, the Port is developing a Waterfront Resilience Plan and investing in critical projects to protect and enhance the shoreline. Recent upgrades include advancing comprehensive stormwater management plans and rehabilitating the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport Perimeter Dike (APD)—which provides vital tidal flood protection—to meet current federal levee standards and improve its seismic resiliency.
Airport Initiatives
The Port is committed to reducing emissions associated with airport operations at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) and has reached new heights having been recently certified at Level 4 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, the second highest level achievable. The Port has several active carbon reduction strategies and is on track to meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for OAK owned and operated sources of 50% by 2030, and 100% by 2040.
Maritime Initiatives
The Port of Oakland is a sustainability leader in the goods and movements sector and that is reflected in its extensive emission reduction efforts. Having met its emission reduction goals set by the Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan (MAQIP), the Port is now focused on the transformative decarbonization projects in pursuit of becoming a zero emissions Port. The Port has reached Level 5 in the GHG Air Quality Category within the Green Marine Program, which requires emission reduction from Port-controlled and third-party sources.
Sustainability
The Port Sustainability Policy promotes the use of sustainability features, such as solar energy, water recycling, and reuse of materials, into its planning, management, development, and operations. Currently, the Port is developing a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP), which will be a long-term plan that addresses air and noise pollution reduction, air quality improvement, and climate change preparation. The SMP will consolidate the Port’s ongoing sustainability work in one place.
Grant Information
Over the past decade, the Port has secured over $700 million in grant funding for sustainability projects. The Port is a trusted leader in zero-emissions operations, successfully managing complex state, federal, and local grants at scale. Our strength lies in building powerful coalitions — uniting communities, terminal operators, tenants, industry partners, municipalities, and zero-emissions experts — to turn ambitious ideas into funded, executed projects. The Port isn’t just adapting to the future of infrastructure — we’re leading it.
Environmental Programs & Planning
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