Ports told urged to tackle climate threat risk

Resilience4Ports, led by the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure and supported by partners including Arup and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, has unveiled its Port Decision Makers Guide to Climate Risk Assessment.

“The resilience of global port systems is under threat, and the urgency of the situation cannot be understated,” said Dr Darshana Godaliyadde, Director of Resilience4Ports.

”Climate change-related risks have the potential to completely shut down parts of the global logistics network, the financial, social and environmental consequences of which would be dramatic on both a local and international scale.”

Climate risk

The initiative aims to help ports understand, prioritise and respond to climate threats, from sea-level rise to extreme weather, using a holistic framework covering physical and digital systems across the entire port ecosystem.

According to analysis cited by the initiative, climate-related port disruptions already cost the global economy an estimated US$7–10 billion annually, a figure projected to rise to US$25–30 billion by 2100 without adequate adaptation.

The new guidance positions Climate Risk Assessments (CRAs) as the first step in climate-proofing port infrastructure, enabling operators to identify vulnerabilities, prioritise actions and unlock access to climate finance.

Thomas Thune Andersen, Chairman of Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said ports face growing exposure due to their proximity to land and sea, particularly in small island developing states and emerging ocean economies.

He added that collaborative approaches, such as Resilience4Ports, are essential to building more resilient supply chains.

Port authorities including Kuantan Port in Malaysia and Madagascar’s SMMC have welcomed the framework, highlighting its role in translating climate resilience from theory into practical, financeable action that safeguards operations and supports sustainable growth.