Ine Moulaert at DTC: Stop Using Uncertainty as Reason for Inaction

Our first Dredging Today Conference (DTC), under the theme ‘Changing Climate, Resilient Business’, took place at Amsterdam RAI Convention Center in October 2017.

Speaking about climate change adaptations of ports and inland waterways – Ine Moulaert, Senior Engineer Marine Environmental Department, Jan de Nul, Member, PIANC Working Group 178 on Climate Change Adaptation, said that one of PIANC objectives is to develop an approach on climate change adaptation planning and delivery.

She also added that four categories of action, in line with expectations of Paris agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, are:

• expand network of partners and supporters, raise awareness of climate-relates issues throughout sector;
• promote action to reduce (net) greenhouse emissions;
• improve preparedness, strengthen resilience and enable the waterborne transport infrastructure sector to adapt to climate change;
• encourage new ways of thinking.

Another clear conclusion made at our conference was that the rising sea levels will increase the flood-risk and erosion along the coast but may also impact freshwater availability or result in an accelerated loss of coastal ecosystems like wetlands and mangroves.

During the event, moderated by Alexander Verbeek – an Associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), all experts emphasized the importance of adapting to these potential effects by developing and implementing coastal protection and adaptation strategies.