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Organisation

Think Climate Coalition (Navigating a Changing Climate)

Description:

The Think Climate Coalition brings together stakeholders in the waterborne transport community that believe that "adaptation of navigation infrastructure is vital, and the time to act is now. It is time to stop using uncertainty as a reason for inaction. Scientific evidence is unequivocal: the climate is changing".

The coalition has launched the "Navigating a Changing Climate Initiative" to address both, mitigation and adaptation challenges in maritime and inland waterway transport. On the adaptation front, its partners want "to coordinate globally and act locally to adapt waterborne transport infrastructure and the operations that depend on it to the changing climate; and to strengthen resilience – in turn reducing the vulnerability of the sector to more frequent extreme events". The coalition includes most of the key stakeholders in the maritime sector:

  • The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC)
  • International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)
  • International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA)
  • International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA)
  • International Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA) a coalition of the International Dry Bulk Terminals Group and the Coal Export Terminal Operators Association
  • European Dredging Association (EuDA)
  • Smart Freight Centre (SFC)
  • European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO)
  • Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST)
  • Inland Waterways International (IWI)
The "Navigating a Changing Climate Initiative" is opened to organisations willing to act as supporters, particularly if they are committed to "strenghtening resilience and adapting to the effects of climate change. More than 30 organisations, including many ports as well as transport research centres are already supporters of the initiative. The Initiative's Action Plan on Adaptation includes the preparation and publication of sector-specific technical adaptation guidance for ports and inland waterways, led by PIANC's working group 178. Adaptation actions recommended for existing infrastructure include building and embedding institutional capacity, developing real-time monitoring and early-warning systems, prioritising maintenance and developing refurbishment and renewal programmes using nature-based solutions were relevant. As for new infrastructure, recommendations include the promotion of flexibility in infrastructure design and engagement of all stakeholders within the transport chain.
The Initiative held a Conference under the title ‘Moving towards low carbon and resilient waterborne transport infrastructure’ in Brussels on 27th and 28th March 2017. The conference report from this event includes presentations from a variety of worldwide stakeholders on their adaptation practice.

Reference information

Websites:

Published in Climate-ADAPT Nov 28 2017   -   Last Modified in Climate-ADAPT Dec 12 2023

Created by:

Angel Aparicio Mourelo

Reviewed by:

Valentina Giannini

Date of creation:

2016

Keywords:

inland waterways, marine transport, navigation, ports

Climate impacts:

Droughts, Flooding, Sea Level Rise

Adaptation elements:

Sector Policies

Sectors:

Transport

Geographic characterisation:

Global

Document Actions