Ensuring bayfront industrial clients are prepared for the potential effects of climate change

Rising Seas and Coastal Industrial Facilities

In response to climate change and rising sea levels, regions in the United States are introducing regulations to enhance resilience of coastally located facilities, and prompt adaptation planning. Recently, we worked with five industrial clients to identify potential impacts that climate change and sea level rise could have on their facilities. Applying our expertise in climatology, coastal engineering, hydrogeology, and numerical modeling, we identified several challenges and vulnerabilities these facilities face.

Our teams created evaluations clients could use to develop strategies and plans to address climate threats to their infrastructure. These evaluations included estimations of sea level rise in each location, groundwater rise, long-term precipitation and temperature changes, and possible tsunami impacts. This information helped outline potential climate change impacts on their current infrastructure and interruptions to their operations.

With the information we provided, each facility operator can now better understand their vulnerabilities, consider options to adapt current infrastructure, address the new regulations, plan for emergency-related utility challenges, and develop operational budgets to enhance their resiliency.