The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) focused on the fact that the risks to transportation, coming from climate change, especially coastal transport infrastructure, threaten global trade and development. Damage, disruption and delays that may be caused by extreme weather events and climate change pose a huge economic risk to closely interlinked global supply chains, with significant repercussions for trade and development.
Specifically, as Michalis Vousdoukas, an expert from the European Commission Joint Research Centre, commented
Coastal risk is becoming one of the most threatening natural hazards, especially in low-income countries.
Because of the climate change and the rough weather conditions, small island developing states (SIDS), which are already exposed to major natural hazards, are facing many barriers and challenges concerning transportation.
As they firmly rely on coastal transportation infrastructure, and mostly in seaports and airports, today’s climate conditions worsen the susceptibility around climate change impacts as sea-level rise.
For SIDS, these impacts threaten trade and disaster relief efforts, as well as international tourism, their crown jewel of economic development, which requires secure and reliable international transport connections.
In the meantime, UNCTAD’s chief of transport policy and legislation, Regina Asariotis stated
Transport is critical to ‘sun, sea and sand’ tourism, which accounts for up to 70% of the GDP of countries in the Caribbean. The potential for losses caused by climate change is huge.
However, SIDS and other developing countries have a limited capacity to adapt and construct resilience of their transport infrastructure to cope with climate change.
Additionally, Willard Phillips, economic affairs officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean noted the importance of conducting specific strategies to reduce vulnerabilities, improving resilience and economic efficiency.
To prepare for the future, there is a need to build in domestic and regional redundancy in transportation for the Caribbean region, Mr. Phillips said.
Furthermore, Ms Asariotis discussed about the industry’s action in addressing the causes (mitigation) of climate change, rather than coping with the impacts (adaptation).
We must examine the two sides of the coin – both the effects of transport on the environment and the impacts of climate change on transport.
… Mr Asariotis noted.
Countries should develop strategies for resilient transport infrastructure and systems, many supported during the Climate Change Adaptation for International Transport: Preparing for the Future meeting, held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 16 and 17 April.
Climate change will continue having devastating effects. The benefits of acting now far outweigh the costs of inaction.
… said Walters Tubua, associate programme officer at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Participants in the meeting emphasised on the need for an integrated approach when looking for multiple ways of climate adaptation and resilience building for transportation across global supply chains. Climate adaptations should be part of normal business in the transportation sector rather than projects.
Michael Woods, principal operations specialist at the Rail Safety and Standards Board in the United Kingdom marked
In order to facilitate climate change adaptation, we need to work as supply chains rather than transport modes.
Additionally, during the meeting it was highlighted that all stakeholders should collaborate for better results concerning the climate.
In light of collaborations, Patrick Mallejacq, secretary-general of the World Road Association stated than exchanging knowledge and experiences is a common method for measuring success.
Susanna Zammataro, director-general of the International Road Federation, urged the creation of an open-access global transport infrastructure database of adaptation-oriented policies, measures and projects.
Concluding, the above recommendations made by experts during the meeting will inform discussions at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit scheduled for 23 September at the UN headquarters in New York.