Coastal zones are increasingly at risk from the combined effects of climate change, sea-level rise, intensifying storms, ecosystem degradation, and rapid coastal development. While traditional gray infrastructure has long been used for coastal protection, it is often costly, environmentally damaging, and increasingly insufficient under growing hazard conditions. Nature-based solutions (NBS) such as mangroves, dunes, reefs, and marshes offer a complementary and cost-effective approach to coastal resilience, reducing risks while benefitting biodiversity, livelihoods, and carbon storage. However, NBS are not universally applicable and must be tailored to local ecological, social, and exposure conditions, often in combination with gray infrastructure.
