The publication of the first European Assessment Report on Sea Level Rise marks a critical milestone in the collaborative efforts of the Joint Programming Initiatives for Connecting Climate Knowledge for Europe (JPI Climate) and for Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans). Developed over three years through the Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise (KH-SLR), an initiative supported by the nine European countries of Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, this report represents the work of over 70 leading climate and marine scientists. Directed by Nadia Pinardi (UN Ocean Decade Centre for Coastal Resilience, CoastPredict Programme) and Bart van den Hurk (IPCC Working Group II), these experts delivered an authoritative analysis on sea level rise to support policymakers, practitioners, and coastal planners across Europe.
From the beginning, the report was designed with significant stakeholder input, ensuring that coastal planners, policymakers, and other end-users received targeted, practical knowledge to help them better address the challenges associated with rising sea levels in their regions. Building on the findings of the IPCC, this report incorporates recent research outcomes, providing updated sea level rise projections, impact assessments, and adaptation strategies to support policy and planning across Europe.
- Knowledge Gaps: Stakeholders from government and academia identified gaps in regional sea level rise projections, uncertainties surrounding shoreline erosion, emerging threats like saltwater intrusion, and the need for effective adaptation strategies.
- Sea Level Rise Projections: The report outlines projections under different emission scenarios, highlighting how these vary regionally across Europe.
- Impacts on Coastal Regions: The report examines the vulnerability of diverse regions, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean, detailing the effects of sea level rise on infrastructure, ecosystems, and local economies.
- Adaptation Strategies: Recommendations include resilience-building approaches such as nature-based solutions, coastal defense mechanisms, and urban planning that integrates future sea level rise projections.
“Our joint Report on Sea Level Rise is a landmark achievement of our fruitful cooperation with JPI Oceans in providing urgent scientific evidence to support policy making and complementing the IPCC’s authoritative knowledge with a dedicated focus on European basins,” said Antonio Navarra, chair of JPI Climate. “This report provides policymakers and public authorities with the knowledge and guidance they need for targeted action to help build resilience along Europe’s coastlines” concludes Niall McDonough, chair of JPI Oceans.
The European Assessment Report on Sea Level Rise contributes to the Equinox Process, launched by JPI Climate in March 2023, which accelerates the transfer of climate knowledge from science to policy and practice. It also aligns with the UN Ocean Decade for Ocean Science, in which JPI Oceans serves as an Implementing Partner.
For more information, please visit: https://knowledgehubsealevelrise.org/
To celebrate the report’s release, we invite you to join us at the virtual launch event on 8 November from 11:00 to 13:00 CET. The webinar will feature comprehensive discussions of each chapter, including sea level rise observations and projections, impacts, adaptation measures, and governance challenges. Attendees will also have an opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the report’s lead authors.