CoCliCo: Protecting Europe’s coasts - how an open-source platform helps plan for tomorrow’s rising seas

For millions of Europeans, from seaside towns to low-lying deltas, rising seas, more severe storms and creeping floods are fast becoming a pressing reality. That is why EU projects such as CoCliCo can have a role. This Horizon 2020 project is delivering an open-source platform bringing together geospatial data, sea-level projections, flood maps and information about people and infrastructures at risk to give citizens, local authorities, urban planners, and decision-makers a clear picture of what might lie ahead. 

At the heart of CoCliCo is transparency and collaboration. The project collects, validates and layers data on coastal risks, turning cutting-edge science into accessible maps and projections. With case studies and “champion users” across Europe. CoCliCo demonstrates how science-based information can guide decisions, from where to build, to where to prioritise protective measures. 

Projects like CoCliCo address the demand for actionable solutions that the European Commission supports through the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change. By turning complex climate projections into value information local stakeholders can actually use, the platform helps embed adaptation planning into daily governance. Rather than waiting for disasters to strike, municipalities and regions can proactively map risks, consider costs and benefits, and design measures to protect vulnerable populations and infrastructure. 

At the past COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, we witnessed that global climate efforts were under the spotlight. Tools like CoCliCo highlight how climate action must not only focus on reducing emissions, but also on preparing societies for changes already underway. The summit underscored the importance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, climate finance and a just transition to safeguard communities worldwide. 

By empowering local actors with open data and decision-support tools, CoCliCo reflects a bottom-up, inclusive approach that resonates with calls for socially just climate action - giving those on Europe’s frontlines a chance to shape their own future.

Conclusion

In a world where climate risks are increasing, resilience will depend not just on lofty targets, but on scientific information, participatory planning and cooperation. CoCliCo shows that, with the right tools, societies can anticipate threats, adapt sensibly and defend their shores. As Europe pushes for climate neutrality and a nature-positive economy, this platform stands as a quiet but powerful example: climate action starts with understanding, and adaptation begins with having a vision of the future.

For more information, please see the EU factsheet.