Thursday, 11th April 2024
GoToWebinar
12:00 – 13:00 CET

Abstract

Sea-level rise (SLR) and flooding are among the climate change stressors challenging human society in the 21st century. Many coastal areas and cities are implementing innovative solutions to mitigate flood risks and enhance resilience. Venice has recently developed a system of storm surge mobile barriers, known as the MoSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico or Experimental Electromechanical Module). The seminar presents the results of recent studies on the economic viability of MoSE operations in light of the potential future evolution of SLR, by means of a dynamic cost-benefit analysis. A system dynamics model has been developed to assess the impact of MoSE operations on economic and residential activities of Venice and its port. Simulations are conducted until the end of the century, considering two SLR scenarios. The results suggest that the economic benefits largely outweigh the combined costs of investment and foregone port revenues resulting from the MoSE closures. Nevertheless, the increasing number of closures due to SLR seriously challenges the viability of the infrastructure in the medium to long term, asking for a revision and stronger integration of the city’s safeguarding strategies for the medium to long term.

Speaker

Carlo Giupponi is Professor of Environmental and Applied Economics at the Department of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. He coordinates the research programme on climate change adaptation (ADAPT@VE) at FEEM. His research activity focuses on sustainability science and global change risk and adaptation, with specific interests for valuation methods, scenario analysis and the integrated – economic, environmental and social – assessment of natural resources, from local to global scales. His most relevant methodological contributions are in the field of disciplinary integration, through the development of original methods, dynamic and spatial models and tools adopting for supporting decisions of private companies and public institutions. The outcomes of his scientific activities can be found in over 330 publications and are recognized in various international rankings.

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This webinar is the third in a series of Seminars, organized by the FEEM Research Program “Climate Change Adaptation (Adapt@VE)” and Ca’ Foscari University on Venice Lagoon.