UN: Global transport infrastructure threatened by climate change
Istanbul (ANTARA) - The United Nations (UN) is urging increased adaptation efforts for transport infrastructure in Europe, Central Asia, and North America to withstand the rising risks of climate change.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in a report released on Tuesday, stated that transport systems are essential elements for the smooth functioning of society and economic activities; therefore, disruptions in this sector could have a massive impact on communities and result in very high financial losses.
“Transport systems are vital for maintaining the smooth flow of society and the economy. Disruptions in this sector can bring serious impacts to society while causing significant financial losses,” said UNECA Executive Secretary, Tatiana Molcean.
The report projects that highways, railways, inland waterways, ports, and airports in the regions of Europe, Central Asia, and North America will increasingly face flooding, extreme heatwaves, rising sea levels, and the melting of permafrost in the coming decades.
UNECE estimates that transport infrastructure will experience an additional 10 to 50 days per year with temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. In fact, some regions are expected to experience up to 200 days above this threshold annually.
These conditions increase the risk of road surface damage, railway track deformation, bridge expansion, and even wildfires.
The report notes that flooding remains the largest cause of transport infrastructure damage due to climate change. Meanwhile, infrastructure in coastal areas is expected to face increasing risks due to rising sea levels and stronger storms.
UNECE also predicts that by 2050, approximately 70 percent of transport infrastructure in the Arctic region will be located in areas threatened by melting permafrost.
By 2100, around 5 million Europeans and the transport networks they utilise are expected to face coastal flooding almost every year.
UNECE is urging governments and infrastructure operators to incorporate climate change risks into transport planning, strengthen infrastructure resilience measures, and enhance climate risk assessments.
The agency warned that delays in taking adaptation measures will increase future economic losses.
The report also highlighted several practices already implemented in countries such as Portugal, France, Germany, and Denmark, which have developed various adaptation measures, including the use of more climate-resilient road surfaces, railway track monitoring systems, and long-term adaptation planning to reduce climate-driven disruptions.