Innovative Climatological Strategies in Coastal Regions: Success Stories from Senegal, Mozambique, and Kenya

1. Senegal - Community-based Coastal Adaptation: The "Promotion of Local Adaptation Strategies" project, funded by the Italian government and the UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), was successfully implemented in the coastal areas of Senegal. The project aimed at climate-proofing agricultural activities and diversifying livelihoods, including the restoration of 1,000 hectares of mangroves that serve as a natural barrier against sea-level rise and coastal erosion, and the creation of anti-salt dykes. The project enhanced the resilience and adaptive capacity of vulnerable smallholders, particularly women, to climate change impacts. 2. Mozambique - Beira Masterplan: In response to the increasing threat of coastal erosion and frequent flooding, the city of Beira, Mozambique, launched the "Beira Masterplan" in 2012. It is a comprehensive urban planning and climate adaptation strategy. The plan includes the relocation of vulnerable communities to higher grounds and the development of urban agriculture to increase food security. It also features the creation of an urban green infrastructure network, including the creation of the “Green Blue Heart,” an area that serves as water storage and increases biodiversity, acting as the city's main recreational area. This innovative strategy has shown that urban development and climate adaptation can go hand-in-hand. 3. Kenya - Integrated Shoreline Management Planning: In order to combat shoreline erosion and sea-level rise, Kenya has developed the Integrated Shoreline Management Planning (ISMP). A notable example of this is the Malindi county government working within the ISMP to rehabilitate and restore the Sabaki Estuary. The project involves the creation of protective seawalls, planting of mangrove trees, and establishing a sanctuary for birds. In addition, local communities are trained in sustainable fish farming, providing a source of income that also increases the resilience of the local ecosystem. This projected has succeeded in protecting the area from further erosion, preserving biodiversity, and improving livelihoods in the process.