Vulnerability and Risk Assessment of the Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) Coastline—A Case Study

Abstract

Climate change is becoming a serious environmental and developmental challenge in recent years. The risk of climate change is the result of interaction of climatic hazards, exposure and vulnerability of the communities and the physical systems. Studies have identified that adaptation to future climate change is to reduce vulnerability and exposure to present climate variability. Assessment of vulnerability and risk is important to develop adaptation policies, strategies and practices. Port Moresby is a coastal city of Papua New Guinea. The coastal environment is heavily built up with increased demand for coastal landfill developments depleting mangroves and reef ecosystems which increases the risks and vulnerability of built structures and communities exposed to sea level rise. Sea level rise in PNG is 7 mm between 1993 and 2010 and is predicted to rise between 40 and 150 mm by 2030 (NCDC National Capital District Commission (2020) Port Moresby towards 2030. National district development plan revive 2020. NCDC). This means that land use developments, mangroves and communities within 100 m buffer would be affected. This chapter assesses coastal risk and vulnerability of Port Moresby and identifies the likely impact and persisting vulnerability of biophysical and socio-economic systems due to climate change. The qualitative and quantitative assessments of the potential risks and vulnerabilities from literature are also discussed.