Decarbonizing small-medium ports in Portugal’s center region: A mobility plan for a 2050 emissions reduction roadmap

Small and medium-sized ports lack comprehensive emission inventories, despite their growing role in regional trade and mobility. This gap limits the ability to design effective decarbonization strategies. This study quantifies the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from maritime, rail, and road activities at the ports of Aveiro and Figueira da Foz (Portugal) and develops a Mobility Decarbonization Plan. We constructed a detailed inventory covering port operations, ships, and land-side transport (trucks, passenger vehicles, and rail), supported by microscopic traffic simulations in PTV VISSIM and emission calculations following the EMEP/EEA methodology. Results show that Aveiro emitted 19,700 tons of CO2 in 2022 (vs. 6,700 tons in 1990), while Figueira da Foz emitted 4,900 tons (vs. 1,900 tons). Scenarios analysis shows projected emission reductions of 26% in 2025, 59% in 2030, 76% in 2040, and 90% in 2050, leading to near-carbon neutrality. The findings highlight that no single measure is sufficient: only the joint implementation of electrification, onshore power supply, biofuel substitution, and modal shift to rail can deliver deep reductions. In addition, as the Port Authorities implement further energy-saving measures, such as building upgrades, achieving full carbon neutrality by 2050 appears realistic. Beyond technical solutions, the paper opens the room for discussion on policies such as the EU Emission Trading System, which can drive innovation and adoption of cleaner technologies. Tailored economic policies are also needed to support the decarbonization process, ensuring that emission reductions are coupled with economic benefits for ports and regional development.