Photo: Following the hugely successful joint NavClimate-SedNet workshop 'Sediment management opportunities to address the climate change challenge' (held as an online event in February 2021), the workshop summary document has now been published on the SedNet website (see https://sednet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Summary-and-outcomes-NavClimate-SedNet.pdf)
This overview report recalls the objective of the workshop, highlights the presentations made in each of the following four sessions, and records the outcomes of the panel discussion/the conclusions reached by participants in the context of key opportunities, challenges and research needs. The four themes were:
- Role of sediment management in carbon sequestration and storage: opportunities to contribute to a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Sediments and climate change adaptation: seeking flexible and adaptive solutions to strengthen resilience and adapt port and navigation
infrastructure and operations
- Habitat enhancement and creation, Working-with-Nature and other nature-based solutions
- Sediment management, circular economy and the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle
It was clear from the workshop that, whilst there are some barriers to be overcome (including changing perceptions, scaling up and accessing finance), there are also tremendous opportunities
By addressing the challenges and seizing opportunities, everybody involved in sediment management - from port and waterway operators to dredging contractors to researchers - can help make a real difference to reducing emissions, strengthening resilience and facilitating sustainable adaptation to the changing climate.
