COASTANCE

The increasing erosion phenomena and marine flooding risks arising on the mid-long term related to the effects of climate changes pushes Public Administrations towards strategic approach for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management with a particular emphasis on coastal protection. The loss of rivers solid transport, the presence of hard protection works and harbours along the coasts and the effects of climate changes increased the vulnerability of coastal stretches. It is based on this observation that the general concept of COASTANCE was developed. The objective of the project was to provide Coastal Administrations with new and adequate tools to face climate change challenges in relation to coastal erosion. The coastal risk represents the highest impact of the climate change especially for the Mediterranean basin where a huge loss of coastal low land with irreplaceable environmental value is foreshadowed. In this view COASTANCE project partners joined their forces and developed a holistic approach on coastal risk assessment, management and protection which can be widely applied to the diverse coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin and can be the basis for the development of a common regional action strategy for the climate change adaptation of the coastal zones in the Mediterranean context.

COASTANCE developed a holistic vision of the coastal zone and the related erosion problems, submersion risk and adaptation needs to climate change. It implemented an integrated approach on different aspects and proposed soft options, together with new policies’ implementation, to mitigate coastal risks and to adapt littorals to climate change effects. The development of a transnational cooperation was essential to the achievement of the project objective. Partners introduced the products of the project to the Regional policy makers in order to be adapted to the on-going or future regional Integrated Coastal Zone Management planning. The main concrete and transferable results of the project are: 1. A model and tool for forecasting submersion risk along the coast, based on a number of simple parameters, which is to be made available and usable by a wide public through the web. 2. A model to formulate coastal protection action plans and sediment management plans, including examples of plans formulated, during the project, by partner regions, together with a data model and tool for coastal sediment management based on littoral cells. 3. Guidelines for environmental assessment of coastal protection works, programme and management plans.