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Significance StatementClimate change has many negative impacts on coastal areas with sea level rise and more frequent and intense storms leading to higher rates of coastal flooding and erosion. Natural coastal features such as beaches and sand dune systems can boost resilience to climate change and provide an effective buffer against negative impacts. This case study from Maghery in Ireland demonstrates how a partnership of stakeholders comprising Local Government, Ulster University and the coastal community implemented a Nature-based Solution to regenerate a coastal foredune system in a Special Area of Conservation. The Nature-based Solution also proved to be a more effective and a more appropriate adaptation response than constructing a hard engineering scheme to protect the coastline.

Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, EU member states are committed to delivering Good Environmental Status in EU marine and coastal areas but the risk of damage from land based pollutants is rising, along with increased economic uses and activities in marine and coastal areas. While it is accepted that land sea interactions need to be managed, and uses and activities in our marine and coastal areas must be regulated, the complexity and dynamic nature of land sea connections create challenges for governance systems. This chapter reviews the marine and coastal management systems in operation in Ireland, Romania, Spain and France. Using relevant case studies at national, sub national and local level, we assess their capacity to manage complex and dynamic land sea interactions. We further examine their ability to achieve integrated, multiscalar and cross sectoral governance of their marine and coastal areas. Recommendations to assist EU member states who are developing marine and coastal governance systems are also provided.

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The National Adaptation Framework aims to reduce Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change by establishing climate adaptation considerations as a priority at local, regional and national level. With coastal areas and habitats particularly susceptible to negative climate change effects, it is necessary to build resilience in these areas by devising coastal adaptation responses in collaboration with coastal communities. Policies and structures have also been put in place to create an enabling environment which facilitates community participation. However, the extent of community engagement and its current role in formulating and implementing coastal adaptation responses are unclear. This paper assesses the effectiveness of the enabling environment in encouraging community-led coastal adaptation solutions by identifying community and voluntary groups who are actively engaging with stakeholders at all levels of governance in key adaptation tasks. The findings reveal that the policies and structures for enhanced local participation in coastal adaptation responses are in place, but as only a small number of communities are actively engaging in coastal adaptation solutions, further progress in their implementation is needed.