In this paper quay wall designs in different materials are compared with regard to the CO2-emission and the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). For this study the requirements and boundary conditions of the quay wall in the Euromax Terminal, the Port of Rotterdam, have been used. An overview of preliminary designs of the tender phase with a concrete diaphragm wall and a steel combi wall are presented. Due to the absence of designs in wood and composites, new designs have been proposed for these materials. The designs resulted in a retaining wall of Azobé and a sandwich panel of Fiber Reinforced Polymers. For these four designs a cost estimation is made. Next the CO2-emission during the lifetime of these structures is calculated. In addition several other impact categories have been determined with help of an LCA. They are causing emissions, resulting in pollution to air, water and soil, depletion and land use. With help of the so called “shadow prices” the costs for the preventive measures that must be taken to reduce the emissions to a sustainable level can be determined. It can be concluded that Azobé results in the lowest Carbon Footprint and FRP in the highest. An FRP structure must be circa 37 times lighter than a concrete structure to obtain the same level of sustainability