Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions
In the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region climate change effects such as higher temperatures, sea level rise and stronger storms are already threatening critical airport infrastructure and operations, with this exposure increasing as climate change accelerates. Given the social and economic cr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Climate Risk Management |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324001013 |
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| author | Rachel Burbidge Christopher Paling Rachel M. Dunk |
| author_facet | Rachel Burbidge Christopher Paling Rachel M. Dunk |
| author_sort | Rachel Burbidge |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region climate change effects such as higher temperatures, sea level rise and stronger storms are already threatening critical airport infrastructure and operations, with this exposure increasing as climate change accelerates. Given the social and economic criticality of airports to the region, it is vital that they adapt and build resilience to the resulting impacts. This paper presents the first evaluation of the climate risk assessment and adaptation status of airports in the LAC region. Drawing on a survey of airport professionals from 35 LAC airports and airport groups (representing a total of 54 airports) it finds that although 80% are already experiencing climate change effects, just 14% have carried out a climate change risk assessment to establish what impacts they may face and only 3% (one airport) have developed a climate adaptation plan. This is a significant exposure-adaptation gap which it is essential to address. This urgently requires (i) enhanced awareness raising of climate effects and impacts; (ii) increased provision of data and guidance; and (iii) development and promotion of capacity building mechanisms such as risk assessment tools and training. A crucial role is identified for national governments and sector bodies to continue and augment support for airports in the region to adapt. While this study focuses on the LAC region, the recommendations are likewise applicable for supporting adaptation action by airports in other regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-60cec164a5924efbb80f157004bdf118 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2212-0963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Climate Risk Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-60cec164a5924efbb80f157004bdf1182025-08-20T03:04:45ZengElsevierClimate Risk Management2212-09632025-01-014710068410.1016/j.crm.2024.100684Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutionsRachel Burbidge0Christopher Paling1Rachel M. Dunk2Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester United Kingdom; EUROCONTROL Brussels Belgium; Corresponding author.Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester United KingdomDepartment of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester United KingdomIn the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region climate change effects such as higher temperatures, sea level rise and stronger storms are already threatening critical airport infrastructure and operations, with this exposure increasing as climate change accelerates. Given the social and economic criticality of airports to the region, it is vital that they adapt and build resilience to the resulting impacts. This paper presents the first evaluation of the climate risk assessment and adaptation status of airports in the LAC region. Drawing on a survey of airport professionals from 35 LAC airports and airport groups (representing a total of 54 airports) it finds that although 80% are already experiencing climate change effects, just 14% have carried out a climate change risk assessment to establish what impacts they may face and only 3% (one airport) have developed a climate adaptation plan. This is a significant exposure-adaptation gap which it is essential to address. This urgently requires (i) enhanced awareness raising of climate effects and impacts; (ii) increased provision of data and guidance; and (iii) development and promotion of capacity building mechanisms such as risk assessment tools and training. A crucial role is identified for national governments and sector bodies to continue and augment support for airports in the region to adapt. While this study focuses on the LAC region, the recommendations are likewise applicable for supporting adaptation action by airports in other regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324001013AirportClimate changeClimate risk assessmentClimate adaptationBarriers to adaptationLatin America and the Caribbean |
| spellingShingle | Rachel Burbidge Christopher Paling Rachel M. Dunk Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions Climate Risk Management Airport Climate change Climate risk assessment Climate adaptation Barriers to adaptation Latin America and the Caribbean |
| title | Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions |
| title_full | Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions |
| title_fullStr | Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions |
| title_short | Adapting Latin American and Caribbean airports to a changing climate: Impacts, challenges and solutions |
| title_sort | adapting latin american and caribbean airports to a changing climate impacts challenges and solutions |
| topic | Airport Climate change Climate risk assessment Climate adaptation Barriers to adaptation Latin America and the Caribbean |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096324001013 |
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