Climate Change Risk Management for Ports

Ports are on the frontline of climate change by virtue of their locations on coasts exposed to sea level rise and storms or on rivers susceptible to flooding or droughts. Therefore, ports make for a fascinating example of the risks associated with climate change. There are direct risks, and the most obvious of these is sea level rise; but, there are also risks associated with the effect of climate change on trade, shipping and the communities that service ports. Recognizing the significance of climate change to ports, the International Financial Corporation together with Terminal Marítimo Muelles el Bosque (MEB), a port in Cartagena, Colombia, collaborated in a study to assess risks and opportunities for MEB as well as for ports in general. This paper provides a summary of the study findings and further insight gained from other port-related projects. It focuses on the following key questions: ≤ What risks and opportunities does climate change present for ports? ≤ How can ports adapt to climate change risks in the most economic and sustainable way? ≤ What are the challenges constraining action on adaptation at ports?