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PIANC Climate Change Home Page

Climate change is causing changes in precipitation patterns, sea levels, wind and wave conditions and water temperature, amongst others, with associated consequences for the frequency and intensity of extreme events. These changes will have implications for navigation and navigation infrastructure globally. While site-specific effects will vary, the navigation sector needs to act – both to reduce emissions which are contributing to warming and to prepare to deal with the now somewhat inevitable effects of climate change.

Climate change will affect both inland and maritime navigation – including commercial and recreational activities and infrastructure, as well as operational activities such as dredging. Measures that aim to reduce the navigation sector’s contribution to the problem by directly or indirectly reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) are referred to as mitigation measures. Measures which aim to increase resilience and to reduce vulnerability to the effects of climate change are referred to as adaptation measures. Further information on mitigation and adaptation measures related to navigation is available through the following links:

· Inland Navigation Mitigation

· Inland Navigation Adaptation

· Maritime Navigation Mitigation

· Maritime Navigation Adaptation

Another potential impact associated with global warming will be opportunities to develop new navigation routes notably as a result of ice melt in Arctic regions. However, while this would represent a benefit to navigation in terms of shorter routes, cost savings, etc., and while such routes may help to reduce net emissions from shipping, careful attention is required concerning the local environmental impacts of such activity. More information is provided on the Potential Benefits of Climate Change page.

PIANC has recognised the importance of climate change for the navigation sector, initially in the preparation and publication of the Task Group 3 report ‘Climate change and navigation: Waterborne transport, ports and waterways: a review of climate change drivers, impacts, responses and mitigation’ published in 2008. More recently, a Permanent Task Group on Climate Change (PTG CC) was established. The PTG CC is comprised of national experts, representatives of the PIANC Commissions and sister association representatives and is undertaking a variety of activities with respect to climate change and navigation, including a Review of PIANC Working Group reports taking into account appropriate climate change issues. The present website is a result of the Group’s work. Please use the link above for more details about the PTG CC, its membership, its Terms of Reference and its present and past activities.