AZTI warns of the “urgent need” to adapt the Basque coastline to the impact of climate change

14/10/2024

At a conference organised by Protecma, Andrea del Campo and Manuel González, from the Marine and Food Research Centre, explained that almost 60% of the Basque population and 18% of the territory are vulnerable to climate risks in the coastal area.

One of the examples was the analysis of the Zarautz coastline, which is one of the actions of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project.

The Marine and Food Research Centre AZTI, one of the partners of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, took part in the conference organised recently by Protecma, entitled “Methodologies and tools to estimate and analyse climate change risks in the coastal and marine environment”.

AZTI gave a presentation on how the Basque coast is vulnerable and adapting to climate change risks. Researchers Manuel González and Andrea del Campo gave a presentation entitled “From diagnosis to the Energy Transition and Climate Change Law of the Basque Country. Creating an Adaptation Plan against coastal risks due to sea level rise”, where they talked about the analysis carried out as part of the KOSTAEGOKI project developed by Ihobe. According to the researchers, “we have a reasonably accurate diagnosis of the dimensions of the problem”, and they also proposed solutions to mitigate coastal impacts.

Diagnosis of the situation: a growing problem

It was stressed that 60% of the Basque population and 18% of the territory are vulnerable to climate risks in the coastal area, which faces serious problems of land development and population pressure. The analysis detailed the most significant changes observed on the coast during 2002-2004, including an increase in developed areas and the regeneration of wetlands and dunes, but also worrying losses in areas of intertidal sands and transitional waters. According to AZTI researchers, these changes prove that there is an urgent need for adaptation.

The impact of climate change on the Basque coastline

Rising sea levels and increasing atmospheric temperatures are major challenges in the region and affect both natural habitats and people’s daily lives. During the presentation, the researchers explained that while the potential for adaptation is significant, there are limitations and barriers that require integrated and coordinated solutions.

Creating an adaptation plan for Zarautz

One of the most outstanding examples was the risk analysis and adaptation of the Zarautz coastline, which is one of the actions of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project. The proposed measures include remodelling accesses to the beach, installing ramps and stairs that are more permeable to waves, and adapting pedestrian accesses, with the aim of minimising the impact of rising sea levels. 

Regulatory development and governance

Finally, they highlighted the need to include criteria for the use of climate information in territorial and sectoral planning tools, such as the General Urban Land-Use Plans (PGOU) and other tools. They also stressed the importance of an adapted regulatory framework and sound governance to address the long-term climate change challenges, as well as the conflict that may arise from the competition around land use in coastal areas.