Transactions on Transport Sciences 2020, 11(1):65-81 | DOI: 10.5507/tots.2020.001

Transport System and Climate Change Risks: Potential Adaptation Constraints and Opportunities in Ghana

Gerald Atampugrea, Martin Larbib, Thomas Kolawole Ojoc, Gengyuan Liud
a Department of Geography, Environment, and Population, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5005.
b School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5005. [1]
c Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana.
d School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, PR China. [1] Corresponding Author

This review explored the potential climate risks for transportation and probable institutional constraints and opportunities for adaptation in Ghana. Using documentary research and on the foundation of the Transport Sensitivity Framework and the Action Theory of Adaptation, policy and programme documents on transportation and climate change in Ghana were analyzed. The results indicate that potential consequences will be in two-fold; risks related to direct impacts on infrastructure and operations and risks associated with climate-induced socio-economic changes. There are three critical constraining issues; lack of data-driven information on potential climate impacts on transport systems; misalignment (or overlap) of institutional roles; and the lack of a framework for mainstreaming climate change documentation in transport plans. An opportunity for transport adaptation is that existing institutional and policy arrangements are amenable to review and reforms in the short-term. Thus, in amending these policies there must be concerted efforts towards the long-term integration of potential climate impacts and adaptation options into transport planning, designing, construction, maintenance, and operations.

Keywords: Transport System; Climate Change; Adaptation; Ghana

Received: October 20, 2019; Accepted: February 13, 2020; Prepublished online: March 22, 2020; Published: May 14, 2020  Show citation

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Atampugre, G., Larbi, M., Kolawole Ojo, T., & Liu, G. (2020). Transport System and Climate Change Risks: Potential Adaptation Constraints and Opportunities in Ghana. Transactions on Transport Sciences, 11(1), 65-81. doi: 10.5507/tots.2020.001
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