Climate actions
Cliff strengthening
Objective
Reduce cliff erosion.Description
Cliff erosion in coastal areas is usually the result of structural erosion, resulting in a gradual retreat of the coastline because the amount of sediment that gets eroded (rocks, cobbles or sand) exceeds the amount of deposited sediment. To reduce cliff erosion and its consequences – landslide, collapse, falling of rocks – cliff strengthening techniques aim at increasing the strength and overall stability of the slope by minimising landside pressures. Some techniques also protect the foot of the cliff against marine erosion, a key factor in strengthening cliffs.
Expected results
Guarantee the stabilisation of the cliff.Result indicators
Length of protected cliff [m]Involved actors
Public authorities at different levels of governance, environmental organisations, interest groups, citizenship.Expected timeline for action
- Long term (> 10 years)
Best practices
Criticalities
Cliff reshaping can disturb biodiversity by destroying habitats.
Scope of the action
- Adaptation
Type of proposed actions
- Grey
Sector of action
- Coastal management
Climate impacts
- Coastal erosion
- Floods
Implementation scale
- Municipality
- Province