The partner interview

How did you come to work with BRGM? 

Fabienne Ricard —   Seaside areas are particularly attractive, with a population density 2.5 times higher than the national average. The geology and characteristics of these areas can vary greatly, but they are often exposed to changes in the shape of the shoreline at various points along the coast. We are trying to understand these coastal dynamics.

Some 5,000 km of French coastline (excluding French Guiana), including 20% of the coastline in mainland France, are retreating due to erosion, which is a progressive, unrelenting and irreversible phenomenon. As a result of global warming, the rising sea level will further exacerbate this phenomenon.

The fact that these areas have diverse characteristics and cover a large surface area make BRGM a key player in this field, due to the wide-ranging expertise it can mobilise.

What effects will this have on public policy-making? 

F.R. — There will be major consequences for local residents and the economy in the areas concerned. We need to act now. In order to anticipate future situations effectively, we need to improve our knowledge of how and why coastlines retreat and better understand the issues in the areas affected, in order to define the appropriate measures to be taken locally.

This adaptation policy will lead to the creation of local maps showing exposure to the phenomenon of shoreline retreat. Naturally, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Regional Cohesion called on the technical and scientific expertise of BRGM to provide the local authorities concerned with recommendations for drawing up these maps.

How is BRGM involved exactly? 

F.R. — To start with, they organised specific presentation and information meetings throughout the year 2023 with the coastal communities and the decentralised government departments in Metropolitan France and French Overseas Territories. These meetings took into account the diverse situations of each area or region. BRGM's teams worked hard and invested a great deal of time and effort to ensure they would be a success. In addition, BRGM actively helped to promote the paradigm shift introduced by the national integrated coastline management strategy, entitled "Vivre avec la mer plutôt que lutter contre" (Living with the sea rather than fighting against it). Natural ecosystems can act as physical barriers against storms and buffer zones to prevent flooding.

BRGM is helping to change the way we look at the role of nature-based solutions. An example of this is its partnership with the French Coastal Conservancy as part of the Adapto programmes. In short, BRGM is a State operator that plays a key role in helping France's different coastal areas adapt to climate change.