Engineering Risk Management in the Context of Climate Change: A Review of Adaptive Strategies

Abstract

Climate change poses significant and evolving risks to engineering projects, challenging traditional risk management practices and necessitating the adoption of adaptive strategies. This narrative review examines the current state of adaptive strategies in engineering risk management within the context of climate change, focusing on their trends, effectiveness, and the challenges associated with their implementation. The review synthesizes a wide range of literature, categorizing adaptive strategies into technological, organizational, and policy-driven approaches, and highlights the regional differences in their adoption. The findings reveal that while adaptive strategies such as climate-informed design and nature-based solutions are increasingly prevalent and effective in enhancing infrastructure resilience, their implementation is often constrained by high costs, technical limitations, and policy barriers. The review identifies significant gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the long-term effectiveness of adaptive strategies and the socio-economic dimensions of their application in developing countries. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research and the development of more cost-effective and scalable adaptive strategies, as well as the importance of supportive policy frameworks and increased stakeholder engagement in promoting resilience in engineering practices.