How climate change affects different modes of transport—from roads to railways
As climate change makes extreme weather more frequent and intense, floods, heat waves, droughts, wildfires and storms are increasingly disrupting roads, railways, airports and waterways. Roads have been closed in Germany during this summer's heat waves, for example, while travel has been chaotic on railways in the UK.
Climate change is causing extreme weather to become more frequent and severe, leading to disruptions in various modes of transport. Roads have been closed during heat waves in Germany and railways in the UK have experienced chaotic travel conditions. Floods can wash away roads or subways, while heat waves can deform railway tracks and droughts can leave cargo ships stranded. Extreme weather can cause sinkholes, landslides, reduced visibility from smoke, and damage to bridges.
Different forms of extreme weather can combine to create the biggest disruptions. Heavy rain combined with strong winds during Storm Claudia in Wales in 2025 caused flooding, with trees and power lines falling onto roads. In southern Germany in 2024, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that derailed a high-speed train and caused widespread rail cancellations.
Heat waves stranded passengers on trains in Birmingham and Paris due to damaged power lines. High temperatures reduce aircraft performance and can damage runways, leading to flight cancellations. Flooding can make coastal airports inaccessible, while wildfires can cause flight disruptions.
Climate change creates a paradox for rivers and ports. Heavy rain can inundate railways, while droughts can leave waterways too shallow for cargo vessels, disrupting supply chains. Transport works as a chain, and when one link fails, others are affected. During droughts, low water levels on the Rhine disrupted fuel deliveries and contributed to higher prices. Low water levels in the Danube in 2024 made it unsafe for ships, while low levels in 2025 exposed mammoth skeletons.
The economic impact of climate change on transport infrastructure is significant, with annual losses potentially doubling to €1.5 billion (£1.3 billion). Extreme weather can also increase the risk of traffic crashes due to fatigue or reduced concentration. Resilient infrastructure, such as heat-resistant materials, improved drainage, and floodproof stations, is needed, but it is not enough.
Adaptive measures, such as shortening wait times for pedestrians and providing shade, are necessary to reduce people's exposure to extreme heat. Building climate resilience into transport infrastructure is becoming increasingly necessary.
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