As part of its support to the WACA Program, IUCN highlights the increasing pressures threatening sandy beaches and coastal dunes in West Africa. Erosion, sea-level rise, coastal infrastructure, and sand mining are driving the degradation of these ecosystems, which are critical nesting sites for turtles and bird species.

As part of its support to the WACA Program, IUCN highlights—through this visual—the major threats to mangroves in West Africa. Preserving these vital ecosystems requires coordinated regional action in the face of rising sea levels, deforestation, and increasing human pressures

The quarterly West African Regional Coastal Observatory (WARCO) newsletter is created and published on the collaborative platform expertise. 

The quarterly West African Regional Coastal Observatory (WARCO) newsletter is created and published on the collaborative platform expertises. 

NIRAS has prepared an innovative idea and a well-defined programme with a clear purpose of elaborating Shoreline Management Planning (SMP) Guidelines for each member state engaging all key stakeholders in a participatory SMP process.

ROOT IS AN INNOVATIVE NATURE-BASED-SOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS MANGROVE RESTORATION THROUGH THE RESTORATION OF SUITABLE HYDRO-SEDIMENTARY CONDITIONS FOR SPONTANEOUS MANGROVE RECOVERY AND REPRODUCES MANGROVE PERFORMANCES FOR COASTLINE PROTECTION.

Integral Consulting Inc. (Integral) is a leading environmental and engineering consultancy company based in Seattle, WA USA, with a global reputation for delivering successful, high value, multi-partner projects. We have formed a consortium of companies and individuals with a high level of integrity, and the technical and scientific expertise capable of executing the projects in our response to this Call for Innovation. Consortium members are from the United States, Senegal, Tunisia, and the Netherlands.

With BESand, the Blue Energy Sand-Bypass System, IMDC offers a UNIQUE, INNOVATIVE and FEASIBLE solution to fight coastal erosion associated with the ongoing development of large commercial ports. In many cases port infrastructure intersects the littoral drift, which leads to erosion downdrift. BESand’s groundbreaking innovation is transferring wave energy back into sediment transport movement. This is achieved by an integrated concept consisting of a multipurpose breakwater, a novel hybrid Wave Energy Convertor (h-WEC) and a sand-bypass system powered by blue energy.

Port developments around the world, West Africa included, often impact the coastal environment, posing challenges like erosion and degradation of environment with negative socio-economic implications. To develop sustainable ports solutions which are adaptable to climate change and have net positive value a paradigm shift is required from a conventional, economic and engineering oriented approach to a stakeholder inclusive and environmental, social and economic integrated approach.

The Government of Cabo Verde recognizes the growth potential of its coastal and marine natural capital and the need to preserve it. It is increasingly paying attention to the potential of a blue economy strategy that could serve as a key enabler of growth and poverty reduction while preserving the environment and increasing its resilience to climate change.