Studies on the impacts of climate change on the coast and adaptation solutions

The challenge

Climate change represents a growing and unavoidable threat for coastal communities, which must adapt to its impacts. The scientific challenge lies in identifying the effects of climate change, anticipating future changes, and defining adaptation measures, with a strong focus on nature-based solutions and early warning systems. This requires numerical prediction tools integrated with long-term instrumental monitoring networks and follow-up measurement campaigns.

The solution

• Multi-scale predictive models in both time and space: wave propagation models, hydro-sedimentary models, flood models, and morphological models.

• Monitoring networks along the coast, in ports, and in estuaries.

The results

• Climate change vulnerability and risk studies for the Basque coast, focusing on sea-level rise and extreme events.

• Pilot studies on exposed beaches (Zarautz), combining video monitoring, numerical modelling, and instrumental campaigns.

• Pilot studies in estuaries (Oka, Bidasoa), based on numerical modelling, instrumental measurements, and monitoring campaigns.