Contributing to SDG 13 is one of the core purposes of Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure. The industry is taking firm action on both climate adaptation and climate mitigation.

On the adaptation side, flood prevention and coastal resilience measures play an important role in the overall drive to adapt to the effects of climate change. Many of projects in this regard can take advantage of nature-based solutions and ecosystem services. These projects reduce the risk of flooding and protect critical infrastructure and communities from increasingly frequent and intense weather events.

In terms of climate mitigation, dredging companies themselves are investing in less-carbon intensive equipment and technology, supporting the energy transition. Project activities too, can contribute to lower emissions. Dredged materials, when managed responsibly, are often repurposed to restore degraded ecosystems, such as wetlands and marshes, which act as carbon sinks and natural buffers against storms. The maintenance of access channels and waterways, too, help reduce emissions from shipping through more efficient and less fuel-intense sea transport.

The dredging industry’s role in supporting SDG 9 covers all three aspects of this goal, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

Dredging activities relating to infrastructure, in particular, are essential. Maintaining access channels to ports and harbours, and terminal foundation creation and expansion, ensures that global sea trade is possible and results in subsequent economic and social benefits. Through the sustainable management of sand involved in these activities, additional nature-based solutions and ecosystem services are possible.

Dredging’s role in sustainable infrastructure development extends to all manner of coastal projects, including land reclamation – creating space for industrial zones, airports, and urban development in areas with limited land availability. Projects like these are often undertaken to serve as catalysts for economic activity and infrastructure expansion, especially important in developing economies.

The industry’s role in developing resilient infrastructure is also key. Coastal protection, especially in the context of climate adaptation measures, are increasingly required. The development of levees, sea walls, and stormwater management systems all help safeguard critical infrastructure from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. To maximise the sustainability of these projects, nature-based solutions such as mangrove fields or salt marsh restoration can be incorporated.

In terms of the innovation element, dredging companies are increasingly incorporating innovative technologies such as real-time monitoring systems and automation. These innovations not only enhance the efficiency and environmental credentials of dredging operations, but also reflect the broader commitment to responsible marine solutions set out through the five principles of Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure.

The aim of SDG 11is to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Coastal populations worldwide continue to grow at a rate significantly higher than inland, particularly in cities (it is estimated that one billion people currently live within 10km of the coastline and will continue to grow), meaning that dredging works are generally required maintain the safety and sustainability of those coastal populations. 

In a similar sense to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, the dredging industry’s role in achieving SDG 11 is through flood risk reduction and climate adaptation. Urban areas near rivers, deltas, and coastlines are vulnerable to flooding due to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and sediment build-up in waterways. Dredging helps to manage the adverse effects of these events.

Through land reclamation and the subsequent urban expansion that can come with it, economic and social value can be achieved. Through the creation of new land, cities can develop housing, public spaces, and infrastructure in a controlled, sustainable way. Notable examples include urban extensions in countries like the Netherlands, Singapore, and the UAE, where dredging has enabled smart, resilient city planning.

The industry also plays a role in maintaining and upgrading urban ports and transport links, which are crucial for sustainable urban economies. Efficient ports support trade, jobs, and access to goods, all of which are integral to thriving urban centres.

Sustainable dredging practices are without doubt required if the world is to meet the aims of SDG 14. Protecting marine biodiversity and thereby food security is the central aspect of the UN ambitions in this regard. Many of the elements of the Dredging for Sustainable Infrastructure approach are in place to not only minimise impacts on life below water, but also encourage that biodiversity. Various nature-based solutions are developed with that ambition in mind.

While dredging involves the removal or relocation of underwater sediments, when carried out responsibly, it plays a vital role in protecting marine ecosystems, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting healthy coastal and marine environments.

One of the key contributions of dredging to SDG 14 is through habitat restoration and environmental remediation. Dredging can be used to remove contaminated sediments from harbours, estuaries, and coastal zones, improving water quality and restoring habitats for fish and other marine life.

The dredging industry increasingly incorporates sustainability-focused techniques, such as precise, low-impact dredging methods, use of silt screens or bubble curtains, and strategic timing of operations to avoid sensitive periods like spawning seasons.

Many more recent projects incorporate biodiversity-enabling elements, including the creation of new habitats, such as artificial reefs or wetlands, which contribute to marine conservation and coastal resilience.