Climate change impacts

The sandy beaches on the coast of the Netherlands are being eroded by ocean currents every year, causing the subsequent incursion of seawater into low-lying urban areas.

Adaptation activity

The Sand Motor project was devised to counteract the damages caused by rising sea levels. Based on the concept of "building coasts through natural methods," the objective is to regenerate lost coastline by gradually redistributing sand over time through wind, wave, and tidal motion.

Outputs / Expected benefits

This method more cost-effective than traditional erosion countermeasures that rely on transportation of large quantities of sand. Although still in the experimental stage, the expansion of sandy beaches has increased tourism and enhanced the biodiversity of coastal areas.