We're taking action against the biggest port of Europe



Ports are hubs in the global transportation chains for fossil fuels. They facilitate essential infrastructure for the fossil industry, such as bunker facilities, refineries, storage and transshipment terminals, pipelines for transportation, power plants, petrochemical industries, etc. The transition to net-zero requires urgent action from both governments and non-state actors. Port authorities can and should play a vital role in accelerating the transition away from fossil activities because of their central role as systemic players. That's why we're taking action against the Port of Rotterdam Authority, an enterprise owned by the Dutch state. 


What's our campaign about?


The port of Rotterdam is by far the largest port and industrial complex in Europe. The port plays a pivotal role in the fossil industry. Not only are there oil refineries, petrochemical factories and power stations in the port, but it is also directly connected to the fossil industry in Antwerp and the Rhine-Ruhr area via an extensive pipeline network. Furthermore, Rotterdam is the largest bunker, transit and storage port for fossil raw materials in Europe.


The port facilitates the emission of enormous quantities of greenhouse gases. This concerns direct emissions in the port and indirect emissions that are released – mainly – outside the port.


The IPCC has been crystal clear for decades about the fact that we must quickly and rigorously reduce our dependence on fossil raw materials. Nevertheless, fossil activities in the Port of Rotterdam continue unabated. For example, in recent years there has been an explicit focus on the growth of liquid gas (LNG) and substantial investments have been made in new infrastructure to make this possible. The port, unlike the port of Amsterdam, for example, is still focusing on the transhipment of coal, while it is clear that coal activities must be phased out as soon as possible. The port is doing exactly the opposite of what is now needed.


The phase-out of fossil activities requires efforts from all parties involved. Also from systemic players such as the Port of Rotterdam Authority that facilitates these activities. Given the considerable size of the fossil industry in the port of Rotterdam, this requires a clear plan. This is necessary to combat the climate crisis. Such a plan is also essential for a fair transition, for securing the future of the port and therefore also of the people who work in the port. A plan that focuses on job security, income security, safety and retraining of employees and in which they have a say in their future.


What's the problem?


On paper, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has many plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has, like its shareholders (the State and the municipality of Rotterdam), committed to the objective of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and a net zero port by 2050. Also, the Port Authority reports on the progress of a large number of projects in the port that should contribute to this, including projects such as Porthos CCS (underground CO2 storage) and Holland Hydrogen I (Europe's largest hydrogen factory).


In reality, the Port Authority's plans are mainly focused on direct emissions in the port area and are also largely in the service of the continuation of fossil activities. There is (still) no question of a reduction in fossil fuels and the associated (direct and indirect) greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the proposed billions of euros in investments in CO2 capture and hydrogen contribute to fossil lock-in, which means there is less room for new, sustainable activities.


The communications of the Port Authority are misleading as they purpose that the port is making good progress towards a net zero port. In reality, to the extent that there are plans to reduce direct emissions, it is extremely uncertain whether these plans will be realised – in time – while the indirect emissions of the port remain virtually untouched.


What do we want to achieve?


We believe that state-owned enterprises have a vital role to play to counter climate change. The Port of Rotterdam Authority could play a pivotal role in the transition away from fossil activities and the development of new energy systems. That's why we are calling upon the Port of Rotterdam Authority to come up with a concrete action plan to phase out fossil activities, in line with the latest scientific insights into the port’s contribution to the climate crisis.


We would like to see three main outcomes of the campaign:


          • accelerating the phase-out of fossil activities and the development of new energy systems in the Port of Rotterdam and elsewhere;
          • putting responsibility on state-owned enterprises for reaching the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement;
          • raising awareness amongst policy makers and the wider public of the systemic role of the Port of Rotterdam for the fossil industry and the enormous contribution of the fossil activities in the port to climate change.


18 June 2025

Response by Advocates for the Future to the Port of Rotterdam Authority's letter: 'Despite our earlier call, the Rotterdam Port Authority refuses to come up with concrete plans to reduce the port’s emissions and phase out fossil activities. Yet more ambitious plans are urgently needed. Not only to reduce the port’s severe impact on climate change, but also to safeguard jobs and the economy in the long run.'

10 February 2025

Reaction Port of Rotterdam Authority to Advocates for the Future's letter: 'As far as the Rotterdam Port Authority is concerned, a further-reaching "phase-out plan" is therefore currently not on the agenda.'

16 December 2024

Reaction Port of Rotterdam Authority to CE Delft study: 'As manager, operator and developer of the Rotterdam port and industrial area, the Port of Rotterdam Authority wants to stimulate and enable these investments by companies, while maintaining an attractive investment climate in Rotterdam. In its role, the Port Authority is constantly looking at how it can accelerate the transition by companies, including by jointly investing in the construction of the necessary infrastructure. The Port Authority also uses the seaport dues and lease contracts to add financial incentives and make reduction agreements with our customers.' 

16 December 2024

Publication CE Delft research: In this report, CE Delft analyses the extent of greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil activities in the Port of Rotterdam. The report also describes to what extent the Port of Rotterdam Authority's climate plans contribute to a reduction of these emissions in line with the 1.5˚C target of the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Dutch and European target to be climate neutral by 2050.

28 November 2024

Meeting with the CEO: together with a group of young people we had a meeting with the CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Boudewijn Siemons. During the discussion, we once again expressed our concerns and called for a concrete plan to phase out fossil fuels. In response, the Port of Rotterdam Authority emphasized that they see an important role for themselves in facilitating the transition to a non-fossil port, but believe that the speed at which this happens depends primarily on the availability and demand for alternative energy solutions.

31 October 2024

Launch of our campaign: Together with a group of young people we have handed over a letter to the board of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. In the letter, we are calling upon the Port of Rotterdam Authority to take more concrete action to reduce the port's impact on climate change and come-up with a plan to phase-out fossil activities in the port. The letter was co-signed by more than 40 public interest organisations, including Greenpeace, Oxfam Novib, Milieudefensie, Cordaid, MOB, Fridays for Future, Klimaatcoalitie Rotterdam, FNV Rotterdam en FNV Young & United.