The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emer... more The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emerged as formidable challenges that demand comprehensive assessment and understanding. This study endeavours to address this critical need by introducing the innovative Systemic Risk Capability Assessment (SRCA) methodology. Unlike traditional risk assessment approaches, SRCA is uniquely designed to not only assess systemic risk but also operationalize its management, making it particularly suited for safeguarding critical infrastructure, with a specific focus on seaports. The SRCA methodology, offers a quasi-quantitative framework that goes beyond conventional risk assessment, enabling a deeper understanding of the dynamics and interdependencies inherent to seaport ecosystems. In the pursuit of demonstrating the practicality and versatility of the SRCA methodology, this study applies the model to two hypothetical ports, accompanied by the utilization of synthetic data. By doing so, it elucidates the step-by-step analysis facilitated by SRCA, highlighting its potential for enhancing the resilience of seaports to systemic risks. The results underscore the limitations of traditional risk assessment methodologies when confronted with the complexity of systemic risks in seaports, thereby emphasizing the significance of the proposed SRCA methodology. In conclusion, this research contributes significantly to the field of systemic risk management, particularly within the critical infrastructure domain.
The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emer... more The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emerged as formidable challenges that demand comprehensive assessment and understanding. This study endeavours to address this critical need by introducing the innovative Systemic Risk Capability Assessment (SRCA) methodology. Unlike traditional risk assessment approaches, SRCA is uniquely designed to not only assess systemic risk but also operationalize its management, making it particularly suited for safeguarding critical infrastructure, with a specific focus on seaports. The SRCA methodology, offers a quasi-quantitative framework that goes beyond conventional risk assessment, enabling a deeper understanding of the dynamics and interdependencies inherent to seaport ecosystems. In the pursuit of demonstrating the practicality and versatility of the SRCA methodology, this study applies the model to two hypothetical ports, accompanied by the utilization of synthetic data. By doing so, it elucidates the step-by-step analysis facilitated by SRCA, highlighting its potential for enhancing the resilience of seaports to systemic risks. The results underscore the limitations of traditional risk assessment methodologies when confronted with the complexity of systemic risks in seaports, thereby emphasizing the significance of the proposed SRCA methodology. In conclusion, this research contributes significantly to the field of systemic risk management, particularly within the critical infrastructure domain.
Under the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the post-Paris commitments made... more Under the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the post-Paris commitments made by several countries have, in aggregate, posted ambitious targets to reduce their greenhouse gases. However, the ubiquitous ‘green growth’ strategy, and the growing preference for renewable energy, have generated a pressing need for rare earths and specific metals such as cobalt, cadmium, and lithium. The rapid surge in demand for critical minerals has posed a new global challenge driven by the global quest for energy-security. Recently, the QUAD Member-States agreed to cooperate in funding new production technologies and establishing a global supply chain in respect of critical minerals. Keeping this urgent need of rare metal in mind, this report analyses non-living marine resources in the Indo-Pacific and explores the manner in which the QUAD framework could be operationalised beyond the limiting-scope of hard security alone and encompassing a number of areas mutually identified by the four countries. This study is, possibly, one of the first attempts to understand the potential and identify the challenges of utilisation of marine mineral resources.
This publication has been developed by a group of researchers and experts from Keio University’s India-Japan Laboratory, National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA), and RIKA Institute.
India’s participation in the global climate discourse has been shaped primarily by a scientific u... more India’s participation in the global climate discourse has been shaped primarily by a scientific understanding of its domestic vulnerabilities to climate change and the adverse impacts on the country’s environment, economy, and society. Its approach is grounded in the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, climate justice and equity but outlined by a more flexible outlook towards emissions reductions. Over the last three decades of climate change negotiations, India has emerged as a global leader in climate action, balancing its national-level development goals with urgent actions to fulfil its climate change commitments. This paper will discuss the trends and nature of India's change in the position at global climate change negotiations.
n the increasingly interconnected and interdependent contemporary world, trade forms a significan... more n the increasingly interconnected and interdependent contemporary world, trade forms a significant component of every major economy; for India, trade accounts for over one-third of the total economy. Around 95 percent of India’s merchandise trade, by volume, travels through the sea in cargo ships. India has 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports that facilitate this trade which is expected to continue to grow in the future. In 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Government of India unveiled the “Maritime India Vision 2030” which outlines a growth model focussed on building world-class greenfield ports, creating ‘smart ports’, modernising existing ports, promoting port-led industrialisation and public-private partnerships. While this ambitious vision and the development projects identified under it are critical in facilitating India’s transition from a “Brown Economy” to a “Blue Economy”, they are being and will continue to be seriously impeded by the ever-growing impacts of anthropogenic climate change. In this context, this study aims to assess the threats posed by climate change in the form of more intense and frequent extreme weather events and sea-level rise to India’s port infrastructure and operations. A climate-change-risk assessment framework and methodology were created which utilise a combination of available climatic data, field-based research, and expert-interviews with port officials to generate “climate-risk profiles” of Indian ports. The framework was tested and implemented through case studies of two of India’s major ports, namely, the Mumbai Port Authority (on the west coast) and the Paradip Port Authority (on the east coast). Findings from the two ports were compared to bring out the differences and commonalities in the challenges facing individual ports. The study highlights the urgent need for devising comprehensive and dynamic climate-change adaptation strategies for individual ports and a concerted policy framework at the national level to ensure long-term security and sustainability of India’s maritime trade sector.
Part I of this article had addressed the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate-change-induce... more Part I of this article had addressed the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate-change-induced impacts such as extreme-weather events, and sea-level rise. This second part explores how the most-vulnerable groups within coastal communities are at high risk of being marginalised. As such, it tries to address the need to take into consideration the adaptation needs of these marginalised and vulnerable groups, several of whom are likely to be disproportionately affected because of structural and social disparities. As had been highlighted in Part 1 of this two-part article, coastlines, across the world, are hubs of business, commerce, industry and tourism. With rapid urbanisation it is likely that human dwelling-concentrations will increasingly extend to low-lying areas of the coast. India's coastal regions are densely populated, with the growth rate of both, population and urbanisation, accelerating. Groups most at risk in a typical Indian city are slum dwellers, squatters and migrants. These include workers in the industrial and informal service sectors; whose occupations frequently place them at significant risk from natural hazards. More often than not, these groups live in traditional and informal settlements, often in locations that are extremely vulnerable to a variety of social and economic risks that are exacerbated by additional stressors such as climate change. Traditional and informal housing, for instance, is especially vulnerable to wind, water and geological hazards. And yet, the risks imposed by climate-change are also applicable in substantive and substantial measure to: "• industrial units, their in-house infrastructure, plant, machinery and raw materials; • lifeline public and private infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports and other transportation systems; water, sewage and gas pipelines; drainage, flood and coastal defence systems; power and telecommunication infrastructure; and critical social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, fire and police stations and first responder infrastructure; and • ecosystems and the natural environment, especially wetlands, riverine, estuarine and coastal ecosystems, and surface and groundwater systems." 1 It is reliably estimated that the number of people living in Low-Elevation Coastal Zones (LECZ) 2 ,
A country's coastline is the epicentre of its business, commerce, transportation, and industry. I... more A country's coastline is the epicentre of its business, commerce, transportation, and industry. It provides a majority of the global ecosystem goods and services that are central to the country's socio-cultural and economic development. Hence, the threat posed to coastal cities by a rise in the sea level caused by climate change is both, high and multi-dimensional. The Indian coastline is one of the most vulnerable, risk-prone and densely populated regions in the world. Indian coastal cities have been altered profoundly in the last few decades due to their rapid growth in population and economic activities. The impact of climate change-induced sea-level rise is aggravated by unsustainable and unplanned development, and the growth of densely populated and unstructured settlements in coastal cities. Limited access to housing, public services and infrastructure for the poor, as also poverty itself, add to the vulnerability of coastal cities. Consequently, extreme climate-induced hazards weaken the resilience and coping-capacities of already poor and vulnerable communities, raising socioeconomic costs. 1 The impact of climate change on coastal cities is a vital strategic, economic and political issue as well.
Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, Nov 14, 2016
F or China, the environment was a neglected issue for a long time while emissions continued to ri... more F or China, the environment was a neglected issue for a long time while emissions continued to rise because of its rapid industrialization and urbanization. A modest shift has taken place in Beijing's approach to environmental governance. China had moved from a state of ignorance and denial about the possibility of global climate change to a situation where the Chinese leadership recognises its growing importance. In reality, China is already the world's largest Green House Gas emitter. China's environmental problems are mounting. Water pollution and scarcity are burdening the economy. Rising levels of air pollution are endangering the health of millions of Chinese. As China's pollution increases, so do the risks to its economy, health, stability and international reputation. While, China argued that since developed countries polluted the atmosphere as they become wealthy, so they ought to reduce their emission before they expect China to do so. In a way, China does not want to bind GHG emission targets until China becomes a wealthy and developed nation. However, under a plan submitted to the UN ahead of crucial climate change talks in Paris November 2015, China aimed to cut its greenhouse gas emission per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 60-65 percent from 2005 levels. However, the core question is: will China make a commitment to the reduction targets set at COP21? The total aggregate size of China and its growing assimilation with the rest of the world mean that what it does or does not do in the environmental sphere will increasingly impact the world. Thus, climate diplomacy has become an essential component of Chinese foreign policy with its growing ambition to become a major world power. Above all, the response to the existential threat posed by a global warming was subdued by the priority given to economic growth. The politics of climate change becomes no more than a means to the end of economic development and growth. In this backdrop, this research seeks to analyze the role and performance of China in climate change negotiations. Biography Chime Youdon is a PhD candidate in Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is currently working on her PhD thesis titled "The European Union and China in Climate Change Negotiations: From Copenhagen (2009) to Paris (2015). She has completed her MPhil dissertation, titled "The EU-China Strategic Partnership: Arms Embargo and Human Rights". She has participated in many national and international conferences. Her areas of research interest are climate change, foreign policy, gender issues, human rights and the EU and China Strategic Interest and Tibet and China-related issues.
International Journal of Environmental Science & Sustainable Development, 2021
The ever-growing impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, more frequent heavy precipitatio... more The ever-growing impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, more frequent heavy precipitation events, intensifying tropical revolving storms, and sea level rise continue to pose major threats to India’s critical maritime infrastructure. As the country moves towards its ambition of becoming a leading Blue Economy of the world, a wide range of initiatives have been taken by the central and state governments to expand the maritime sector with a specific focus on the transport sector. However, there is little emphasis being paid on protecting the existing and planned seaport infrastructure against the deleterious impacts of climate change. None of the major ports in India have a dedicated climate action strategy and climate adaptation finds no mention in the policy documents pertaining to the maritime transport sector. In this context, this paper aims to highlight the need for a comprehensive, holistic and dynamic climate change adaptation strategy for India’s port infrastructure i...
Mangroves are amongst the world's most fragile ecosystems. The impacts of global climate change s... more Mangroves are amongst the world's most fragile ecosystems. The impacts of global climate change such as rising sea-level, altering weather patterns, and acidifying oceans are putting mangrove forests at high risk. In addition, threats from human exploitation pose significant concern for their regeneration and restoration. This paper begins with an introduction to the unique features of mangroves and discusses their benefits for coastal communities in India. It thereafter goes onto look into their vulnerability to climate change as also to the impact of ostensible urban 'development' activities. The paper concludes by discussing the strategies and measures that must be taken at a policy level to conserve and protect this crucial ecosystem.
The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emer... more The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emerged as formidable challenges that demand comprehensive assessment and understanding. This study endeavours to address this critical need by introducing the innovative Systemic Risk Capability Assessment (SRCA) methodology. Unlike traditional risk assessment approaches, SRCA is uniquely designed to not only assess systemic risk but also operationalize its management, making it particularly suited for safeguarding critical infrastructure, with a specific focus on seaports. The SRCA methodology, offers a quasi-quantitative framework that goes beyond conventional risk assessment, enabling a deeper understanding of the dynamics and interdependencies inherent to seaport ecosystems. In the pursuit of demonstrating the practicality and versatility of the SRCA methodology, this study applies the model to two hypothetical ports, accompanied by the utilization of synthetic data. By doing so, it elucidates the step-by-step analysis facilitated by SRCA, highlighting its potential for enhancing the resilience of seaports to systemic risks. The results underscore the limitations of traditional risk assessment methodologies when confronted with the complexity of systemic risks in seaports, thereby emphasizing the significance of the proposed SRCA methodology. In conclusion, this research contributes significantly to the field of systemic risk management, particularly within the critical infrastructure domain.
The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emer... more The ever-increasing systemic risks posed by disasters and the impacts of climate change have emerged as formidable challenges that demand comprehensive assessment and understanding. This study endeavours to address this critical need by introducing the innovative Systemic Risk Capability Assessment (SRCA) methodology. Unlike traditional risk assessment approaches, SRCA is uniquely designed to not only assess systemic risk but also operationalize its management, making it particularly suited for safeguarding critical infrastructure, with a specific focus on seaports. The SRCA methodology, offers a quasi-quantitative framework that goes beyond conventional risk assessment, enabling a deeper understanding of the dynamics and interdependencies inherent to seaport ecosystems. In the pursuit of demonstrating the practicality and versatility of the SRCA methodology, this study applies the model to two hypothetical ports, accompanied by the utilization of synthetic data. By doing so, it elucidates the step-by-step analysis facilitated by SRCA, highlighting its potential for enhancing the resilience of seaports to systemic risks. The results underscore the limitations of traditional risk assessment methodologies when confronted with the complexity of systemic risks in seaports, thereby emphasizing the significance of the proposed SRCA methodology. In conclusion, this research contributes significantly to the field of systemic risk management, particularly within the critical infrastructure domain.
Under the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the post-Paris commitments made... more Under the framework of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the post-Paris commitments made by several countries have, in aggregate, posted ambitious targets to reduce their greenhouse gases. However, the ubiquitous ‘green growth’ strategy, and the growing preference for renewable energy, have generated a pressing need for rare earths and specific metals such as cobalt, cadmium, and lithium. The rapid surge in demand for critical minerals has posed a new global challenge driven by the global quest for energy-security. Recently, the QUAD Member-States agreed to cooperate in funding new production technologies and establishing a global supply chain in respect of critical minerals. Keeping this urgent need of rare metal in mind, this report analyses non-living marine resources in the Indo-Pacific and explores the manner in which the QUAD framework could be operationalised beyond the limiting-scope of hard security alone and encompassing a number of areas mutually identified by the four countries. This study is, possibly, one of the first attempts to understand the potential and identify the challenges of utilisation of marine mineral resources.
This publication has been developed by a group of researchers and experts from Keio University’s India-Japan Laboratory, National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA), and RIKA Institute.
India’s participation in the global climate discourse has been shaped primarily by a scientific u... more India’s participation in the global climate discourse has been shaped primarily by a scientific understanding of its domestic vulnerabilities to climate change and the adverse impacts on the country’s environment, economy, and society. Its approach is grounded in the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, climate justice and equity but outlined by a more flexible outlook towards emissions reductions. Over the last three decades of climate change negotiations, India has emerged as a global leader in climate action, balancing its national-level development goals with urgent actions to fulfil its climate change commitments. This paper will discuss the trends and nature of India's change in the position at global climate change negotiations.
n the increasingly interconnected and interdependent contemporary world, trade forms a significan... more n the increasingly interconnected and interdependent contemporary world, trade forms a significant component of every major economy; for India, trade accounts for over one-third of the total economy. Around 95 percent of India’s merchandise trade, by volume, travels through the sea in cargo ships. India has 12 major ports and over 200 non-major ports that facilitate this trade which is expected to continue to grow in the future. In 2021, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Government of India unveiled the “Maritime India Vision 2030” which outlines a growth model focussed on building world-class greenfield ports, creating ‘smart ports’, modernising existing ports, promoting port-led industrialisation and public-private partnerships. While this ambitious vision and the development projects identified under it are critical in facilitating India’s transition from a “Brown Economy” to a “Blue Economy”, they are being and will continue to be seriously impeded by the ever-growing impacts of anthropogenic climate change. In this context, this study aims to assess the threats posed by climate change in the form of more intense and frequent extreme weather events and sea-level rise to India’s port infrastructure and operations. A climate-change-risk assessment framework and methodology were created which utilise a combination of available climatic data, field-based research, and expert-interviews with port officials to generate “climate-risk profiles” of Indian ports. The framework was tested and implemented through case studies of two of India’s major ports, namely, the Mumbai Port Authority (on the west coast) and the Paradip Port Authority (on the east coast). Findings from the two ports were compared to bring out the differences and commonalities in the challenges facing individual ports. The study highlights the urgent need for devising comprehensive and dynamic climate-change adaptation strategies for individual ports and a concerted policy framework at the national level to ensure long-term security and sustainability of India’s maritime trade sector.
Part I of this article had addressed the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate-change-induce... more Part I of this article had addressed the vulnerability of coastal cities to climate-change-induced impacts such as extreme-weather events, and sea-level rise. This second part explores how the most-vulnerable groups within coastal communities are at high risk of being marginalised. As such, it tries to address the need to take into consideration the adaptation needs of these marginalised and vulnerable groups, several of whom are likely to be disproportionately affected because of structural and social disparities. As had been highlighted in Part 1 of this two-part article, coastlines, across the world, are hubs of business, commerce, industry and tourism. With rapid urbanisation it is likely that human dwelling-concentrations will increasingly extend to low-lying areas of the coast. India's coastal regions are densely populated, with the growth rate of both, population and urbanisation, accelerating. Groups most at risk in a typical Indian city are slum dwellers, squatters and migrants. These include workers in the industrial and informal service sectors; whose occupations frequently place them at significant risk from natural hazards. More often than not, these groups live in traditional and informal settlements, often in locations that are extremely vulnerable to a variety of social and economic risks that are exacerbated by additional stressors such as climate change. Traditional and informal housing, for instance, is especially vulnerable to wind, water and geological hazards. And yet, the risks imposed by climate-change are also applicable in substantive and substantial measure to: "• industrial units, their in-house infrastructure, plant, machinery and raw materials; • lifeline public and private infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports and other transportation systems; water, sewage and gas pipelines; drainage, flood and coastal defence systems; power and telecommunication infrastructure; and critical social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, fire and police stations and first responder infrastructure; and • ecosystems and the natural environment, especially wetlands, riverine, estuarine and coastal ecosystems, and surface and groundwater systems." 1 It is reliably estimated that the number of people living in Low-Elevation Coastal Zones (LECZ) 2 ,
A country's coastline is the epicentre of its business, commerce, transportation, and industry. I... more A country's coastline is the epicentre of its business, commerce, transportation, and industry. It provides a majority of the global ecosystem goods and services that are central to the country's socio-cultural and economic development. Hence, the threat posed to coastal cities by a rise in the sea level caused by climate change is both, high and multi-dimensional. The Indian coastline is one of the most vulnerable, risk-prone and densely populated regions in the world. Indian coastal cities have been altered profoundly in the last few decades due to their rapid growth in population and economic activities. The impact of climate change-induced sea-level rise is aggravated by unsustainable and unplanned development, and the growth of densely populated and unstructured settlements in coastal cities. Limited access to housing, public services and infrastructure for the poor, as also poverty itself, add to the vulnerability of coastal cities. Consequently, extreme climate-induced hazards weaken the resilience and coping-capacities of already poor and vulnerable communities, raising socioeconomic costs. 1 The impact of climate change on coastal cities is a vital strategic, economic and political issue as well.
Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, Nov 14, 2016
F or China, the environment was a neglected issue for a long time while emissions continued to ri... more F or China, the environment was a neglected issue for a long time while emissions continued to rise because of its rapid industrialization and urbanization. A modest shift has taken place in Beijing's approach to environmental governance. China had moved from a state of ignorance and denial about the possibility of global climate change to a situation where the Chinese leadership recognises its growing importance. In reality, China is already the world's largest Green House Gas emitter. China's environmental problems are mounting. Water pollution and scarcity are burdening the economy. Rising levels of air pollution are endangering the health of millions of Chinese. As China's pollution increases, so do the risks to its economy, health, stability and international reputation. While, China argued that since developed countries polluted the atmosphere as they become wealthy, so they ought to reduce their emission before they expect China to do so. In a way, China does not want to bind GHG emission targets until China becomes a wealthy and developed nation. However, under a plan submitted to the UN ahead of crucial climate change talks in Paris November 2015, China aimed to cut its greenhouse gas emission per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 60-65 percent from 2005 levels. However, the core question is: will China make a commitment to the reduction targets set at COP21? The total aggregate size of China and its growing assimilation with the rest of the world mean that what it does or does not do in the environmental sphere will increasingly impact the world. Thus, climate diplomacy has become an essential component of Chinese foreign policy with its growing ambition to become a major world power. Above all, the response to the existential threat posed by a global warming was subdued by the priority given to economic growth. The politics of climate change becomes no more than a means to the end of economic development and growth. In this backdrop, this research seeks to analyze the role and performance of China in climate change negotiations. Biography Chime Youdon is a PhD candidate in Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She is currently working on her PhD thesis titled "The European Union and China in Climate Change Negotiations: From Copenhagen (2009) to Paris (2015). She has completed her MPhil dissertation, titled "The EU-China Strategic Partnership: Arms Embargo and Human Rights". She has participated in many national and international conferences. Her areas of research interest are climate change, foreign policy, gender issues, human rights and the EU and China Strategic Interest and Tibet and China-related issues.
International Journal of Environmental Science & Sustainable Development, 2021
The ever-growing impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, more frequent heavy precipitatio... more The ever-growing impacts of climate change such as extreme heat, more frequent heavy precipitation events, intensifying tropical revolving storms, and sea level rise continue to pose major threats to India’s critical maritime infrastructure. As the country moves towards its ambition of becoming a leading Blue Economy of the world, a wide range of initiatives have been taken by the central and state governments to expand the maritime sector with a specific focus on the transport sector. However, there is little emphasis being paid on protecting the existing and planned seaport infrastructure against the deleterious impacts of climate change. None of the major ports in India have a dedicated climate action strategy and climate adaptation finds no mention in the policy documents pertaining to the maritime transport sector. In this context, this paper aims to highlight the need for a comprehensive, holistic and dynamic climate change adaptation strategy for India’s port infrastructure i...
Mangroves are amongst the world's most fragile ecosystems. The impacts of global climate change s... more Mangroves are amongst the world's most fragile ecosystems. The impacts of global climate change such as rising sea-level, altering weather patterns, and acidifying oceans are putting mangrove forests at high risk. In addition, threats from human exploitation pose significant concern for their regeneration and restoration. This paper begins with an introduction to the unique features of mangroves and discusses their benefits for coastal communities in India. It thereafter goes onto look into their vulnerability to climate change as also to the impact of ostensible urban 'development' activities. The paper concludes by discussing the strategies and measures that must be taken at a policy level to conserve and protect this crucial ecosystem.
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This publication has been developed by a group of researchers and experts from Keio University’s India-Japan Laboratory, National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA), and RIKA Institute.
This publication has been developed by a group of researchers and experts from Keio University’s India-Japan Laboratory, National Maritime Foundation (NMF), the Resilience Innovation Knowledge Academy (RIKA), and RIKA Institute.