The Acting Director-General of the Coastal Protection and Management Agency (APAL), Mehdi Ben Haj, made a concerning statement about the impact of climate change on Tunisia’s coasts.
During his speech at a panel dedicated to climate challenges for tourism in the Mediterranean, held as part of the 26th edition of the International Forum of Realities on November 27, 28, and 29 at Alhambra Yasmine Hammamet, Ben Haj revealed that Tunisia is currently ranked first in the Mediterranean in terms of coastal erosion, according to the latest World Bank report. He attributed this alarming situation to inaction and the absence of immediate and effective measures.
Regarding the ecological dangers threatening the Tunisian coastline, Ben Haj, who had just delivered a speech at the Side Event « Vulnerability and Adaptation of the Tunisian Coastline to Accelerated Sea Level Rise, » organized as part of Tunisia’s participation in the 29th Annual UN Climate Change Conference COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan, did not mince his words: « We are losing our tourism assets. » He also warned of an even more concerning phenomenon: the accelerated rise in sea levels, which will lead to the gradual disappearance of beaches. According to his explanation, Tunisia faces a combined phenomenon of coastal erosion and rising waters.
He emphasized the urgency of taking swift action to avoid repeating past mistakes, stressing that the cost of inaction would be exorbitant. Among the possible consequences, he mentioned: retreat of the coastline, destruction of coastal ecosystems, loss of cultural and historical heritage, infrastructure, homes, and areas of economic activity, disappearance of low-lying island territories, intrusion of saltwater into freshwater aquifers near the coast, etc.
The speaker reminded that 232 km of Tunisia’s coastline is currently undergoing severe erosion, after the intervention carried out, which has led to the rehabilitation of only about 19% of the total coastline affected by this phenomenon.
Paths and Solutions
Referring to Chapter 4 of the Climate and Development Report, Ben Haj highlighted various solutions to address the dangers threatening coasts worldwide. The first solution is to advance into the sea by restoring or creating new land above sea level by building towards the sea, thus reducing coastal risks for the hinterland and newly elevated lands. The second solution is to protect the coastline through the implementation of defense structures. The third solution involves retreating inland and implementing protections to reduce risks and coastal impacts by blocking the spread of water inland due to rising sea levels.
The final solution is based on adaptation, stipulating « conservation or restoration of coastal ecosystems that protect the coastline by attenuating waves by acting as barriers, providing a retention space, raising altitude, and reducing erosion rates through trapping and stabilizing coastal sediments. »
Source: Réalités
