Coastal regeneration as key driver for climate change adaptation

Climate change threatens economic development globally, with distinct disparities in accelerating risks across regions as well as their capacities to adapt, in terms of socio-economic conditions, financing and technological solutions accessibility. Coastal communities and Maritime Regions are at the forefront of impacts driven by climate change and sea level rise. It is estimated that in Europe these impacts could generate by 2100 more than €800 Billion loss due to the potential economic impacts on its 271 Maritime Regions, especially vulnerable to climate change. The role of planning for the necessary adaptive regeneration of coastal cities and lidos, ports and natural areas, has become increasingly central to the future of coastal communities and their regions economies, environment and social aspects, as well as appropriate policies, funds and funding lines, scientific research & industrial applications able to support the great challenge of transforming territories to face climate change.

In order to take stock of progress and make a point on new opportunities, also in relation to the European Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change scheduled for spring 2026 and the discussion on the European Commission's proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, this year's event focuses on policies and governance for the adaptation of the territory at various levels. In particular, on the tools being implemented or new ones in preparation, and on the contribution that the scientific, industrial and stakeholder community can make in this process and for the adaptation of territories. The event, arranged in high-level round tables, is intended in giving examples, good practices and reflections on the extent to which the current system has the capacity to address appropriately the transformations that the climate change calls as necessary and which further steps should be envisaged to better address climate change on coastal areas, dealing also with regional disparities. To make the event leave its contribution along this process, the intention also is to come out with a “manifesto” providing suggestions on further steps that policies and planning instruments could do in further supporting and facilitating adaptive regeneration operations of the coastal zones.   

Session Chairs

Lorenzo Cappietti, GNRAC
Enzo Pranzini, University of Florence
Giuseppe Sciacca, CPMR
Roberto Montanari, Emilia-Romagna Region

Program

14.00 Institutional welcome

14.15 Introduction by the chairs

14.30 Round Table 1 - State of play of key adaptation policies in coastal areas
Moderator: Giuseppe Sciacca, CPMR

Speakers:

Willem-Jan Goossen, European Commission DG CLIMA.E.1 Preparedness and Adaptation (TBC)
Giuseppe Travia, Director General Sustainable Use of Soil and Water - Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) (TBC)
Sergio Arjona, Deputy Minister of Sustainability and Environment - Junta de Andalucía 
Marco Masi, Head of Sector of Water, Territory and Coast Protection - Tuscany Region
Massimo Sbriscia, Head of Sector of Energy, Waste, Quarries and Mines - Marche Region (TBC)
Luca Salvetti, Major of Livorno Municipality
Anna Montini, Councilor of Ecologic Transition, Environment, Sustainable Development, Blue Economy - Rimini Municipality

14.30-15.00 1st Round: Advancements of adaptation policy instruments at the different levels

15.00-15.15 Q/A with the audience 

15.15-15.45 2nd Round: Way forward to enhance territorial adaptation policies across Europe

15.45-16.00 Q/A with the audience

16.00 Round Table 2 - Enhancing stakeholders’ cooperation to foster adaptation
Moderator: Lorenzo Cappietti, GNRAC

Speakers:

Nadia Pinardi, University of Bologna (Director of ONU DCC-CR on Coastal Resilience)
Luca Sittoni, Project Manager DEME Group (offshore energy, dredging, marine infrastructure, environmental works)
Roberto Perocchio, President of Assomarinas (Italian association touristic Marinas) 
C. Praticò/A.Broekman, Interreg Euro-MED Governance “Community4Nature” (TBC)
Roberto Rando, European Investment Bank (public financial institution) 
Andrea Martinez, Deputy Director General Silnoc SpA (financial advisory company)  

16.00-16.30 1st Round: Advancements of adaptation policy instruments at the different levels

16.30-16.45 Q/A with the audience 

16.45-17.15 2nd Round: Way forward to enhance territorial adaptation policies across Europe

17.15-17.30 Q/A with the audience

17.30 Wrap-up and closure by the Chairs