From Seabed to Shoreline: How 'Beach Sand Nourishment' is Changing the Rules of Coastal Protection in a Comprehensive National Dialogue
In a significant step toward enhancing adaptation to climate change, the Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation in the Nile Delta and Northern Coast project participated in an intensive national dialogue titled: "The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Areas." The dialogue's activities toured four coastal governorates—Dakahlia, Beheira, Alexandria, and Matrouh—throughout September.
The dialogue showcased collaboration between governmental and community efforts, organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (represented by the Egyptian General Authority for Shore Protection), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Experts met with a wide spectrum of stakeholders and community groups, including governorate general diwans, agricultural directorates, the National Council for Women, agricultural and non-governmental associations, in addition to farmers, village chiefs (Umdah), tribal elders, university professors, and business representatives.
The discussion focused on the general and specific impacts of climate change on various sectors, with a comprehensive review of the ministries' efforts to address the risks of erosion and flooding. Dr. Mohamed, the Executive Director of the Project, unveiled an innovative vision for coastal protection, noting that the project's concept of natural protection was primarily inspired by the residents' experience in safeguarding their lands using reeds (Bous) as natural barriers for sand.
He also reviewed the project's efforts, which included implementing natural protection techniques along 69 km of the Delta's coasts, in addition to the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan. This ambitious plan provides scenarios until 2100 to identify the risks of sea-level rise, inundation, and erosion, establishing a framework for all relevant stakeholders.
The core focus of the discussion was the new pioneering technique: "beach sand nourishment from the seabed" to address erosion effects. This technique impressed attendees, who described it as a natural solution that significantly contributes to enhancing climate change adaptation.
While applauding the technique, experts and participants stressed the necessity of conducting further in-depth environmental studies to ensure the preservation of the ecological balance within the sea. They emphasized the importance of not solving the beach erosion problem at the expense of creating another environmental issue.
All participants collectively affirmed the great value of the National Dialogue in building a common ground for understanding the climate challenges and the efforts the Egyptian state is undertaking to effectively confront them.
