[MedPartnership] Assessment of climate variability and change impacts and evaluation of response options - case study of Tunisia [Experience Note]
Tunisia is considered as one of the Mediterranean countries most vulnerable to climate variability and change, and particularly to sea-level rise and storm surges. The coastline of Tunisia is more than 1,700 km long, including the continental part and the islands, with a variety of coastal types. Its coastal wetlands, which are located at a very low level, are of particular concern. This activity will help evaluate the future costs expected to occur in coastal zones, in terms of assets and persons impacted, if the current practices in coastal management remain unchanged and under different development scenarios. The Dynamic Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (DIVA) model is intended to highlight the need for and support future adaptation policies in coastal management. The DIVA modelling framework is used to assess the increased coastal flood risk in terms of the expected annual damage from extreme sea-level events and dry land loss due to sea-level rise. The first results of the assessment are in agreement with the vulnerability trends identified by the Tunisian experts studying the impacts of the sea-level rise. The sea-level rise will be significant across the century, and adaptation measures are required. Results show that hard defence construction and continuous beach nourishment would be economically beneficial compared to “do-nothing” approaches.
[MedPartnership] Assessment of climate variability and change impacts and evaluation of response options - case study of Tunisia [Experience Note].pdf
