Operational definitions of CCA sub-criteria across time horizons
| Sub-criteria | General description | Short-term focus (<10 Years) | Long-term focus (20–25+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray infrastructure and coastal protection (A1) | The extent to which ports invest in gray infrastructure solutions, to protect port assets from sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events (EESI, 2022) | Retrofitting: Repairing existing breakwaters, levees; upgrading drainage and dredging for current storm intensities | Elevation: Raising terminal heights significantly to counter sea-level rise; building massive sea walls |
| Nature-based coastal protection measures (A2) | The extent to which ports adopt nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, and living shorelines to enhance coastal protection (EESI, 2022) | Pilots and buffers: Small-scale planting for erosion control and storm buffering | Ecosystem restoration: Large-scale wetland restoration as a primary defense system and carbon sink |
| Climate risk monitoring and early warning systems (A3) | The extent to which ports develop or utilize monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems to anticipate climate-related hazards and support timely decision-making before extreme events occur (Song et al., 2025) | Weather forecasting: Real-time alerts for incoming typhoons and storm surges | Climate modeling: Long-term scenario planning based on RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways)/SSP (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways) sea-level rise projections |
| Contingency planning (A4) | The extent to which ports maintain operationally ready contingency and emergency plans (León-Mateos et al., 2021) | Business continuity: Disaster recovery plans for specific extreme weather events | Strategic realignment: Plans for potential relocation of assets or supply chain reconfiguration |
| Transparency and adaptable management (A5) | The extent to which port authorities adopt transparent decision-making processes and adaptive management practice to evolving climate risks and post-event learning (León-Mateos et al., 2021; Jenkins et al., 2025) | Post-event learning: Updating protocols based on recent disaster assessments | Dynamic pathways: Flexible governance frameworks allowing strategy pivots over decades |
| Internal communication and organizational coordination (A6) | The extent to which ports maintain agile internal communication mechanisms that facilitate information sharing, interdepartmental cooperation, and timely access to resources climatic disruptions (Summers et al., 2017) | Crisis communication: Emergency command chains during active disaster events | Institutional integration: Embedding climate resilience into long-term corporate strategy and culture |
| Training and capacity-building programs (A7) | The extent to which ports provide training to enhance staff awareness and preparedness (León-Mateos et al., 2021) | Drills and exercises: Evacuation drills and emergency equipment training for frontline staff | Climate literacy: Educating leadership on climate science and long-term adaptation planning |
| Sub-criteria | General description | Short-term focus (<10 Years) | Long-term focus (20–25+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gray infrastructure and coastal protection (A1) | The extent to which ports invest in gray infrastructure solutions, to protect port assets from sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events ( | ||
| Nature-based coastal protection measures (A2) | The extent to which ports adopt nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, and living shorelines to enhance coastal protection ( | ||
| Climate risk monitoring and early warning systems (A3) | The extent to which ports develop or utilize monitoring, forecasting, and early warning systems to anticipate climate-related hazards and support timely decision-making before extreme events occur ( | ||
| Contingency planning (A4) | The extent to which ports maintain operationally ready contingency and emergency plans ( | ||
| Transparency and adaptable management (A5) | The extent to which port authorities adopt transparent decision-making processes and adaptive management practice to evolving climate risks and post-event learning ( | ||
| Internal communication and organizational coordination (A6) | The extent to which ports maintain agile internal communication mechanisms that facilitate information sharing, interdepartmental cooperation, and timely access to resources climatic disruptions ( | ||
| Training and capacity-building programs (A7) | The extent to which ports provide training to enhance staff awareness and preparedness ( |
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