Climate risk assessment for the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA)

Risk assessment of climate hazards and risks for many of Curaçao’s port

Customer
Location
Duration
Read more
Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA)
Curaçao
2022

Climate risk assessment for the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA)

Risk assessment of climate hazards and risks for many of Curaçao’s port

Customer
Location
Duration
Read more
Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA)
Curaçao
2022

The Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) develops and operates most ports and bays in Curaçao. CPA is currently seeking a climate adaptation strategy to cope with climate change impacts and to ensure the safety and security in the ports in an environmentally responsible way. During this project we worked together with CPA to set out a scoping plan in order to develop the CPA climate adaptation strategy. The goal of this project was to provide CPA with an understanding of the hazards, the impacts and the risks of climate change and to offer a roadmap on how to improve their resilience in a changing climate.

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What did the project entail? 

In this project we performed a tailored climate risk assessment and co-developed a strategic roadmap outlining priorities for further study. Our tailored approach for CPA consisted of the following three steps:  

  • We carried out a Rapid Climate Hazard Assessment. This was a science-based evaluation of climate hazards based on desk research and on the research of existing datasets. A consultation with experts was part of this assessment too. 
  • We carried out a Qualitative Climate Impact and Risk assessment. This included an assessment of vulnerable locations, buildings and infrastructure of the harbour. Part of this assessment was also a workshop with the involved internal and external stakeholders. The workshop was used to link aspects of climate change to CPA operations and to prioritize the most important impacts. This workshop contributed to raising awareness of the impacts of climate change among stakeholders.
  • We co-developed a custom-made roadmap. This is a strategic roadmap outlining key knowledge gaps to be tackled and a plan for further steps. 

What did the project entail? 

In this project we performed a tailored climate risk assessment and co-developed a strategic roadmap outlining priorities for further study. Our tailored approach for CPA consisted of the following three steps:  

  • We carried out a Rapid Climate Hazard Assessment. This was a science-based evaluation of climate hazards based on desk research and on the research of existing datasets. A consultation with experts was part of this assessment too. 
  • We carried out a Qualitative Climate Impact and Risk assessment. This included an assessment of vulnerable locations, buildings and infrastructure of the harbour. Part of this assessment was also a workshop with the involved internal and external stakeholders. The workshop was used to link aspects of climate change to CPA operations and to prioritize the most important impacts. This workshop contributed to raising awareness of the impacts of climate change among stakeholders.
  • We co-developed a custom-made roadmap. This is a strategic roadmap outlining key knowledge gaps to be tackled and a plan for further steps. 

What was the role of CAS? 

CAS delivered the tailored climate adaptation approach together with EcoVision. EcoVision is a local independent environmental consultancy firm who aims to contribute to a healthier and greener Caribbean. EcoVision integrates global expertise with local know-how. As such, EcoVision performed a local vulnerability assessment, and CAS was responsible for the hazard, impact, and risk assessments. The Meteorological Department of Curaçao (MDC) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) had a role in supporting the hazard analysis.   

What will happen next? 

Climate change impacts on Curaçao, and the Caribbean Islands in general, are now starting to receive more attention. According to the Worldbank these Small Island States are on the frontlines of climate change. The Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) has set an example for the region by taking a forward-looking approach to identify the risks from climate change. The scoping study revealed the useful next steps to take for CPA, but also more generally set the scene for increasing awareness, further tackling key knowledge gaps, and working towards climate resilience on Curaçao and other Caribbean Islands.  

What was the role of CAS? 

CAS delivered the tailored climate adaptation approach together with EcoVision. EcoVision is a local independent environmental consultancy firm who aims to contribute to a healthier and greener Caribbean. EcoVision integrates global expertise with local know-how. As such, EcoVision performed a local vulnerability assessment, and CAS was responsible for the hazard, impact, and risk assessments. The Meteorological Department of Curaçao (MDC) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) had a role in supporting the hazard analysis.   

What will happen next? 

Climate change impacts on Curaçao, and the Caribbean Islands in general, are now starting to receive more attention. According to the Worldbank these Small Island States are on the frontlines of climate change. The Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) has set an example for the region by taking a forward-looking approach to identify the risks from climate change. The scoping study revealed the useful next steps to take for CPA, but also more generally set the scene for increasing awareness, further tackling key knowledge gaps, and working towards climate resilience on Curaçao and other Caribbean Islands.  

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