Ports urged to unite on climate risk

Resilience4Ports (R4P) has launched its Port Decision Makers Guide to Climate Risk Assessment (CRA), offering a structured pathway for port infrastructure and port operations to prepare for escalating climate threats.

“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. That’s why we believe understanding and managing these risks will be key to catalyse momentum across the industry and build long-term sustainability.”

Anticipating risk

The initiative, led by the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) and supported by Arup, UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, aims to help ports anticipate risks such as sea-level rise, extreme temperatures and flooding.

Climate-related port disruptions already cost the global economy an estimated $7–10 billion annually, with that figure expected to rise to $25–30 billion by 2100 without decisive adaptation.

The new guidance outlines how CRAs can help ports identify vulnerabilities, prioritise adaptation investments and access climate finance. It also takes a holistic approach, covering both physical assets and digital systems essential to modern port operations.

Hasnita Binti Mohd Hanapiah, general manager, Kuantan Port Authority, said that in alignment with the objectives of the R4P Call to Action, the port recognises the strategic importance of ports in addressing climate risks through a structured Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) and enhancing global supply chain resilience.

“[We remain] committed to embedding sustainability and resilience as core principles in our port operations and development strategy.” she said.

”Kuantan Port continues to strengthen its capacity through innovation, environmental stewardship and adaptive planning to ensure business continuity and sustainable growth in the face of a changing climate.”

Full guidance can be downloaded from the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)