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Driving efforts to future-proof global port ecosystems

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Ports are the backbone of the global economy, handling 80% of global trade, and contributing to 2.6% of global GDP. But climate hazards are placing our port systems under threat, affecting business continuity and causing economic loss.

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Future-Proofing Ports: Nature, Climate and People as Drivers of Competitiveness

‘Future-Proofing Ports: Nature, Climate and People as Drivers of Competitiveness’, a new Briefing Paper published today by the World Economic Forum and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, shows how ports can mitigate climate, nature and people-related risks, whilst strengthening collaboration for a safer, more prosperous port ecosystem.

The Paper highlights the unprecedented impact climate change is having on marine infrastructure. 86% of ports face exposure to more than three natural hazards, and failure to successfully adapt could see the yearly cost of climate-related port related disruptions rise to $25–30 billion by 2050.

It is argued that, by integrating nature and people-positive strategies, ports can unlock $54 billion in annual business opportunities by 2030, whist differentiating themselves in a competitive market, attracting green finance, building resilience and ensuring long term competitiveness in a rapidly changing climate.

The Paper is the first output from Accelerating Critical Transformations for Ports (ACT Ports), a workstream under the Forum’s Accelerating Critical Transformations for the Ocean (ACT Ocean) and the Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiatives, supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation. 

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