The Mediterranean region is widely recognised as a climate change hotspot, experiencing warming and environmental pressures above the global average.
Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, more frequent extreme weather events, and increasing temperatures are transforming coastal zones and marine ecosystems. At the same time, shifting precipitation patterns and growing water scarcity add further stress to coastal communities, wetlands, and freshwater resources. Increasing temperatures and increasingly hot and dry conditions are intensifying wildfire risks.
Integrating climate considerations into the coastal and marine systems management is key to addressing these impacts. Integrated planning serves as a strategic framework to guide management, enabling the systematic consideration of climate and environmental risks while balancing ecosystem protection with development pressures within coastal territories. It supports a shift from reactive to anticipatory, coordinated action, strengthens decision-making, and fosters collaboration, partnerships, and trust among stakeholders.
Adaptation measures range from restoring natural systems, including wetlands and dunes as key buffers, through nature-based solutions (NbS), to strengthening community resilience through improved governance and coordination.