Ports are critical infrastructure assets that serve as catalysts of economic growth and development and are key-nodes in the network of closely interconnected global supply-chains. At the same time, ports and other coastal transport infrastructure are exposed to the risk of climate change impacts, particularly in view of their location in coastal zones, low-lying areas and deltas.
This report presents examples of legal, regulatory, and policy approaches as well as of reports, studies, and guidance to support climate risk, vulnerability and impact assessment, and the development of effective adaptation response measures. It also provides a brief overview of climate change impacts on coastal transportation and of recent trends and projections regarding some key climate drivers of relevance to coastal zones, as well as of approaches to risk-assessment and adaptation.
The report was produced as part of UNCTAD work on climate change and maritime transport, including a technical assistance project on “Climate change impacts on coastal transport infrastructure in the Caribbean: enhancing the adaptive capacity of SIDS” (SIDSport-ClimateAdapt.unctad.org). Under the project, a "Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Framework for Caribbean Coastal Transport Infrastructure" was also prepared, along with two country case studies on Jamaica and Saint Lucia.