Nice, 5 June 2025. Faced with accelerating climate change and rising sea levels, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched the TRATT’EAU project, a cross-border initiative under the Interreg MARITTIMO programme. Its objective: to measure, understand and anticipate the economic and social impacts of coastal erosion, while supporting the sustainable relocation of economic activities threatened in coastal areas.
A global challenge, a local issue
According to IPCC reports, more than one billion people could be directly affected by rising sea levels by 2050. The coastal areas of the MARITTIMO territory, which are highly urbanised and have dense economic activity, are particularly exposed.
For these territories, the challenge is twofold: to preserve businesses located in vulnerable areas and to prepare for the future by devising new models of planning and economic development.
A cross-border consortium for coordinated action
On the initiative of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a consortium of regional and cross-border partners has come together around the TRATT’EAU project:
AVITEM, the Liguria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SMIAGE, the Province of Massa-Carrara, the University of Cagliari and the Bastia Urban Community.
Together, these public, academic and economic actors share a common ambition: to build sustainable territorial resilience in the face of rising sea levels.
A three-pronged approach to strengthening economic resilience
Measuring and anticipating economic impacts
Led by the Nice Côte d’Azur CCI, this first axis aims to identify and measure the direct and indirect economic threats linked to coastal retreat.
Dynamic flooding maps will be produced based on several global warming scenarios (2040, 2070, 2100) in order to visualise potentially submerged areas and assess the consequences for businesses.
An economic analysis methodology will be used to estimate potential losses, the most vulnerable sectors and the jobs affected.
This system will be accompanied by an educational web narrative and the installation of a tide gauge, a scientific tool designed to measure sea level variations and feed into predictive models.
Preparing for the relocation of economic activities
The second component, led by Italian partners, focuses on identifying land opportunities to accommodate exposed businesses.
An economic land observatory will be created to identify available land and guide the sustainable relocation of activities.
At the same time, a land strategy will be developed in conjunction with local authorities and government departments in order to integrate these issues into urban planning documents.
Awareness-raising workshops will bring together public and private stakeholders, and a territorial commitment charter will formalise cooperation between partners.
Informing, raising awareness and involving public decision-makers
The third focus of the project is to encourage local decision-makers and institutions to take ownership of climate issues. The aim is to raise constructive awareness and encourage the joint development of realistic and shared adaptation policies.
Accessible communication and understanding tools will be made available to help regions develop adaptation strategies based on consultation, education and collective intelligence.
A clear goal: anticipate to better adapt
With TRATT’EAU, the MARITTIMO region is part of a European dynamic of adaptation to climate change.
By combining scientific expertise, regional innovation and cross-border cooperation, this project aims to prepare coastal areas today for the realities of tomorrow, thereby preserving their attractiveness, economy and quality of life in the long term.