Sustainable Management of Coasts (Case Study)

Sustainable management is designed to cope with future threats (increased storm events, rising sea levels) but its implementation can lead to local conflicts in many countries.

Coastal communities around the world face the dynamic nature of the coast's everyday environment. They increasingly face threat from:

• Rising global sea levels, but there is uncertainty about the scale and timing of the rise

• Increased frequency of storms and the possibility of increased erosion and flooding

To cope with these threats, communities need to adapt and employ sustainable coastal management. to ensure the well-being of people and the coastal environment. (Sustainable coastal management means managing the wider coastal zone in terms of people and their environment livelihood, social and cultural well-being, safety from coastal hazards, as well as minimising environmental impacts.

Sustainable coastal management should consider:

• Managing natural resources (fish, farmland, water supply) to ensure long-term productivity

• Managing flood and erosion risk where possible, or relocating to safe areas

• Creating alternative livelihoods before existing ones are lost to the sea

• Adapting to sea level rise by relocating, alternative building methods and water supplies

• Educating communities to understand why change is needed and how to adapt.

• Monitoring coastal change and adapting to unexpected trends

Adopting sustainable coastal management may lead to conflict because:

• Coastal natural resources may have to be used to less in order to protect them - so some people lose income

• Relocation may be needed where engineering solutions are too costly or not technically feasible

• Some erosion and/or flooding will always occur, as engineering schemes cannot protect against all threats.

• Future trends, such as sea level rise, may change, creating uncertainty and the need to change plan.