Impacts and risks from climate change on trade infrastructure

Climate change is increasingly affecting global trade systems by exposing critical transport infrastructure to growing physical risks. This report examines how climate-related hazards—such as sea-level rise, flooding, storms, droughts, and extreme heat—can disrupt key infrastructure that supports international trade, including ports, railways, roads, and inland waterways. Because global supply chains rely heavily on these interconnected networks, climate impacts on transport infrastructure can have cascading economic consequences across regions and sectors.

The report highlights that many trade hubs and logistics corridors are located in highly exposed coastal or riverine areas, making them particularly vulnerable to climate hazards. For example, rising sea levels and storm surges threaten port operations, while droughts and low river levels can restrict inland shipping. Extreme weather events may also damage infrastructure, interrupt transportation flows, and increase maintenance costs. These disruptions can lead to delays in supply chains, higher transportation costs, and reduced reliability in global trade.

To address these risks, the report emphasizes the importance of climate adaptation strategies aimed at strengthening infrastructure resilience and improving risk management in transport systems. Recommended measures include integrating climate risk assessments into infrastructure planning, investing in resilient design and upgrades, enhancing monitoring and early warning systems, and improving coordination among governments, businesses, and international organizations. Strengthening climate resilience in trade infrastructure is essential to safeguard economic stability and ensure the long-term functioning of global trade networks in a changing climate.