Local authorities or national frameworks? A global review on coastal protection policies

The intensification of human activities and the impacts of climate change are poised to degrade coastal ecosystems significantly in the future, potentially endangering both human populations and infrastructure. In response, many countries have developed strategies over recent decades to combat coastal erosion and flooding. The wide range of physical, economic, and social characteristics across regions has resulted in diverse management approaches. This research aims to identify which countries have enacted laws compelling governmental action against coastal erosion and flooding, which policies detail coastal protection solutions, and which administration level is most effective in implementing these measures. Through a review of coastal protection policies and an analysis of research developments in this field across ten countries, this study reveals significant variations in legislative frameworks. For instance, Germany has stringent laws requiring coastline protection, whereas countries such as Greece and South Korea rely mainly on management recommendations. Additionally, Germany and Japan include provisions for funding these protective measures in their legislation, which is crucial for mitigating conflicts across different government levels. Generally, regional and/or local administrations are favoured for implementing such policies – such as in the USA, Brazil, and Australia – even though establishing a national regulatory framework could enhance coordination. However, most of these regulations date back to the 20th century and fail to incorporate contemporary scientific advancements and emerging concepts in coastal protection. The insights gained from this research are intended to inform coastal planners about the importance of maintaining updated management plans, ultimately aiming to ensure long-term sustainability of coastlines.