International projects

MANABAS COAST: MAinstreaming NAture BAsed Solutions through COASTal systems

The MANABAS COAST project focuses on mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the North Sea coastal systems, aiming to integrate Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) to enhance biodiversity, recreation, and economic value.

It addresses climate change, sea-level rise, and coastal vulnerability by promoting widespread NbS adoption, thereby boosting climate resilience and human well-being.

Rijkswaterstaat's participation supports global climate resilience and sustainable coastal management objectives. This aligns with our overarching goals of safety, sustainability, and international collaboration.

The North Sea region is confronted with various challenges linked to climate change, including rising sea levels, intense storm surges, and coastal deterioration. In the absence of effective adaptation measures, these factors could result in increased flood risks, coastal erosion, and a loss of biodiversity. Consequently, there is a need to reform coastal management practices.

While NbS present a viable remedy, they have not gained widespread adoption as the primary solution for coastal protection. The MANABAS COAST initiative strives to establish them as standard practice.

Integrating NbS and FCERM for Coastal Biodiversity

The project leverages NbS to address these challenges by developing a framework and tools for integrating Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) with biodiversity conservation. It draws upon lessons from previous NbS pilot projects and identifies enabling factors for mainstreaming, such as technology, multi-stakeholder engagement, and institutional embedding.

Building a sustainable future

The MANABAS COAST project aims to create a generic framework for mainstreaming NbS in coastal systems, incorporating regional strategies, and capacity building. It aspires to facilitate a sustainable future by harmonizing coastal resilience and biodiversity goals and human well-being in the North Sea region.

MANABAS COAST is co-funded by the European Union.