Environmental

Our Commitment

As stewards of our coastal environment, the Corner Brook Port Corporation is committed to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. The Port of Corner Brook adheres to all applicable environmental regulations set by Transport Canada, including conducting reviews of projects and physical works to inform decision-making.

Committed to continuous improvement, the port sets environmental goals and implements initiatives to strengthen stewardship, reduce impacts, and advance sustainability. We pursue projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing infrastructure sustainability through thoughtful planning, design, and operations. Environmental considerations are integrated into all aspects of our operations.

Ongoing Projects

Project Partners:

The Port of Corner Brook is participating in a pilot project alongside four Atlantic Canadian ports of varying sizes and ship traffic levels to evaluate the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for routine biomonitoring. The other participating ports include Halifax (Nova Scotia), Saint John (New Brunswick), and Summerside (Prince Edward Island). This initiative is part of the broader Port Baseline Biodiversity Project led by Genome Atlantic.

Project Goal:

To measure baseline biodiversity across Atlantic ports using environmental DNA (eDNA), a cutting-edge tool that detects species from genetic material left in the water. This project provides essential baseline data and standardized sampling protocols to better understand marine biodiversity and how port activities may influence ocean health.

Importance:

  1. Helping Protect Our Ocean: By using advanced technology like eDNA, the Port of Corner Brook gains insight into local marine life, helping guide decisions that protect ocean health for future generations.
  2. Stopping Harmful Species Early: With ships constantly coming and going, invasive species can enter our waters and threaten local marine life. eDNA helps detect them early so we can respond quickly.
  3. Staying True to Our Environmental Values: This project highlights the Port of Corner Brook’s commitment to protecting local biodiversity and promoting sustainability in our community.

Project Partners:

Genome Atlantic, Ignite Atlantic, Dartmouth Ocean Technologies, eDNAtec, and the Independent Marine Ports Association of Atlantic Canada (IMPAC).

ACAP Humber Arm supported the Port of Corner Brook by collecting water samples using a Niskin bottle, which were filtered and analyzed for eDNA.

The Port of Corner Brook is participating in a Climate Impact Audit alongside other Energy NL members. As a key transportation hub serving western Newfoundland, we recognize the growing importance of environmental stewardship, sustainability, and climate resilience in port operations. This project reflects our commitment to understanding and improving the environmental impacts of our operations, while aligning with evolving market expectations around strong ESG performance.

Project Goal:

This initiative will provide a detailed understanding of our energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile, and overall environmental footprint. It will also help identify sector-specific benchmarks and environmental standards that can guide future sustainability projects.

Importance:

  1. Lower GHG Emissions: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions across operations.
  2. Improve Resource Efficiency: Reduce waste production and energy consumption.
  3. Strengthen Climate & Market Resilience: Improve resilience to climate-change impacts and align with ESG-driven market expectations to maintain or enhance competitiveness.

Project Partners:

This project is funded in part by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, with Energy NL leading the program.