Nov 1, 2026
Almost half of all Europeans reside close to the sea, yet what lies ahead for these communities is far from certain, according to a fresh Council of Europe report. The study, How can we cope with coastal erosion?, contends that numerous European shorelines need to adopt planned retreat without delay — an approach that would prohibit or limit new construction and shift dwellings, enterprises and assets such as roads and railways to inland sites better able to withstand climate change.
Sea-level rise, mostly driven by warming caused by human activity, is harming infrastructure, residences and heritage sites across the globe. In 28 European nations, yearly economic damage from coastal erosion is above EUR1 billion and, absent meaningful intervention, might reach EUR800 billion each year by century’s end, the report notes.
France demonstrates the scale of the challenge: about 900 kilometres of its mainland shore is retreating, affecting over 500 municipalities. At Quiberville-sur-Mer in Normandy, a EUR9 million outlay relocated a public campsite further inland, and municipal revenue then grew by 25 per cent.
The report concedes that shifting a campsite is much simpler than moving whole residential villages or heritage buildings, but proposes that relocating coastal communities could be the sole remaining choice should other remedies prove inadequate.
Venice highlights the hard trade-offs. Specialists forecast that engineered barriers called dikes might be required once seas rise past 0.5 metres, a threshold possibly reached by 2100 even under low emissions. That would cost as much as EUR4.5 billion yet would not offer a lasting fix. Sealing the lagoon with a super levee — a broad, strengthened embankment — might also work beyond 0.5 metres of sea-level rise and could shield the city against rises of up to 10 metres, although its upfront cost could surpass EUR30 billion. Moving the city, its inhabitants and historic monuments might be needed beyond 4.5 metres of sea-level rise, expected after 2300, at a cost of up to EUR100 billion.
The report further urges authorities to revise risk maps, establish and regularly re-examine no-build and buffer zones, and draft adaptation plans weighing the legal, social and financial implications of various options. It emphasises that planning must engage those most directly impacted, through open consultation, public information and enduring political backing, together with steps to safeguard livelihoods, coastal heritage and vulnerable communities.
Coastal areas generate 40 per cent of Europe’s GDP, and 80 per cent of low-lying shore faces future erosion risk, the report states. Sound planning and relocation today would consequently deliver substantial savings tomorrow.
Fanis Spanos, a Greek politician and report co-author, described Europe’s coastlines as among its most precious assets, home to major infrastructure, underpinning essential economic activity and acting as hubs of cultural and natural heritage. He added that over a quarter of Europe’s shoreline is eroding and that continuing to occupy high-risk zones endangers livelihoods.
Fellow co-author Anthony Buchanan contended that shielding Europe’s coasts through conventional means like sea walls is growing less viable given the steep climb in sea levels. He observed that sea-level rise has doubled in recent years and is set to add another 44 cm by 2100, while storms grow fiercer and more frequent and extreme storm surges are expected 20 to 30 times more often by 2050.
1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
- MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
11. COUNTRY PROFILES
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition
PRO11.1
United States
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.2
China
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.3
Japan
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.4
Germany
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.5
United Kingdom
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.6
France
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.7
Brazil
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.8
Italy
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.9
Russian Federation
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.10
India
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.11
Canada
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.12
Australia
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.13
Republic of Korea
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.14
Spain
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.15
Mexico
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.16
Indonesia
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.17
Netherlands
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.18
Turkey
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.19
Saudi Arabia
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.20
Switzerland
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.21
Sweden
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.22
Nigeria
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.23
Poland
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.24
Belgium
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.25
Argentina
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.26
Norway
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.27
Austria
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.28
Thailand
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.29
United Arab Emirates
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.30
Colombia
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.31
Denmark
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.32
South Africa
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.33
Malaysia
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.34
Israel
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.35
Singapore
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.36
Egypt
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.37
Philippines
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.38
Finland
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.39
Chile
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.40
Ireland
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.41
Pakistan
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.42
Greece
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.43
Portugal
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.44
Kazakhstan
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.45
Algeria
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.46
Czech Republic
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.47
Qatar
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.48
Peru
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.49
Romania
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
11.50
Vietnam
- Market Size
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2025
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022–2025
- Production, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Consumption, by Country, 2025
- Market Volume Forecast to 2035
- Market Value Forecast to 2035
- Market Size and Growth, By Product
- Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
- Exports and Growth, By Product
- Export Prices and Growth, By Product
- Production Volume and Growth
- Exports and Growth
- Export Prices and Growth
- Market Size and Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports and Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Production, by Country, 2025
- Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
- Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
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