The inaugural Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) took place from 30 September to 4 October in Baku, Azerbaijan. It marked a key point in the climate calendar as the international community prepares for COP29 in Baku in November. With an international perspective and local context, BCAW brought together key stakeholders from policy, private sector, finance, trade and investment, science and academia, cities and regions, arts and culture, civil society and media as the next step from Bonn, London Climate Action Week and Climate Week-NYC, to build the foundations for a successful COP29.
Resilience4Ports (R4P) is a programme led by the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) with the core partnership of Arup, the UN High-Level Climate Champions and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. ICSI was invited to present R4P at Baku and demonstrate the urgency and importance of integrating resilience and adaptation in the development and operations for ports around the world, while delivering positive outcomes for communities and natural ecosystems. Dr Darshana Godaliyadde, Director of the R4P programme attended on behalf of ICSI.
The session was included in a panel discussion on Smart Cities and Resilient Infrastructure, Focusing on Sustainable Design and Construction. It was moderated by Anna Soave, Head of Country Programme, UN-Habitat Azerbaijan. The panellists explored the latest advancements in decarbonisation in the construction industry and large infrastructure projects like ports and airports.
Darshana explained the importance of the role of ports in the global economy and emphasised the significance of 17, 000 ports globally and 30 million livelihoods in port ecosystems for local economies.
Addressing Climate Change: The Central Challenge
As sea levels rise and severe weather events become more frequent, the need for port resilience has never been more urgent. Ports must develop the ability to bounce back from disruptions and continue to provide essential services, ensuring that trade flows remain uninterrupted.
During the discussions, it was clear that ports also have a significant role to play in combating climate change. They are essential for achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, particularly by providing the infrastructure necessary for alternative fuels. As we transition to greener energy sources, ports will be at the forefront of this movement.
Embracing Digital Transformation for Resilience
Dr Godaliyadde highlighted the necessity of ports to integrate digital infrastructure to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. By incorporating advanced technologies, ports can not only work towards net-zero targets but also improve their resilience against potential cyber threats by incorporating cyber resilience. Building resilient ports involves creating backup systems that ensure essential services can be maintained even in challenging circumstances such as a cyber threat.
The R4P Initiative: Building a Network for Port Resilience
Recognising the importance of resilience in the face of climate change, the R4P programme was launched at COP27 in 2022. This initiative aims to establish a collaborative network of ports and communities, focusing on developing solutions for various resilience challenges. Over the past two years, significant progress has been made, including the release of guidance documents and the development of frameworks that incorporate the UN High-Level Climate Champions’ Maritime Resilience Breakthroughs.
A toolkit was introduced at COP28 to assist ports in enhancing their resilience strategies. As we prepare for COP29, a publication is underway to showcase the advancements made in port resilience around the globe. This will not only share knowledge with port actors but also provide opportunities for financing resilience improvements.
Dr. Darshana Godaliyadde, Director of the Resilience4Ports programme, presenting at Baku Climate Action Week 2024.
