Coastal communities need resilient ecosystems and infrastructure

Caribbean nations are exceptionally vulnerable to natural disasters and the coastal impacts of climate change. The Resilient Coasts – Caribbean Sea project will develop Living Labs where local communities explore how they can bolster their resilience by restoring coastal ecosystems and applying nature-based solutions. The project will not only enhance local capacity but help create a viable business case for nature-based solutions.

Funded by The Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, the Resilient Coasts in the Caribbean project is a collaboration between SEI and governments and communities in eight countries: Dominican Republic, Cuba, Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico. The project runs for 2.5 years to the end of 2026.

A diverse range of stakeholders will focus on three different aspects of coastal resilience:

• Increased coastal ecosystem restoration and protection.

• Locally led climate change adaptation with active community engagement.

• Co-creation of sustainable finance and business models for nature-based solutions.

This coastal zone project will use a “Living Lab” co-creation approach. The three project components will involve international knowledge exchange in nature-based solutions within the Caribbean region, community-based action, increased local capacity in coastal restoration and protection, climate change-resilient financing of local projects and policy advice. Nearly 40% of the global population resides within 100 km of coastlines, facing risks from rising sea levels and increasing extreme weather events. Low-lying areas and islands are particularly affected – a single hurricane can devastate an island’s economy, exceeding its annual GDP, as noted by the World Bank. Caribbean nations, according to an IMF study, are up to seven times more prone to natural disasters compared to larger countries.

What can coastal regions do to bolster their resilience? Among the most effective approaches are the restoration and safeguarding of coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems provide essential services that can be categorized into three primary functions:

1. Natural defence against water hazards.

Coastal ecosystems serve as natural barriers, shielding communities from flooding and sea-level rise. Mangroves, for instance, can reduce wave energy by up to 66%. Seagrass beds reduce wave energy by up to 85% and coral reefs by as much as 97%. The absence of coral reefs could double flood-related damages and triple costs from frequent storms.

2. Protecting access to food and freshwater.

Besides acting as natural breakwaters, coral reefs support fish habitats, aiding food security and livelihoods. Coastal wetlands can also mitigate erosion risks, help purify freshwater and prevent saltwater intrusion that leads to soil degradation.

3. Sequestering greenhouse gas emissions.

Coastal ecosystems are vital for both climate adaptation and mitigation. Wetlands, salt marshes, mangroves and seagrasses play a key role in climate regulation by harbouring significant carbon stocks in their substrates. They sequester more carbon than terrestrial forests of the same size.

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