Territorial inertia versus adaptation to climate change. When local authorities discuss coastal management in a French Mediterranean region

Local authorities in Nice, a leading French Mediterranean tourism region, exhibit strong territorial inertia when discussing coastal management amid climate change, prioritizing beach- and residential-oriented economies while underestimating risks like sea-level rise and flooding. Beach erosion is the only widely recognized threat, with younger officials showing greater awareness of environmental challenges. The study combines geographical sampling, text statistics, and qualitative interview analysis to reveal social representations of coastal risks, offering a transferable methodology for assessing climate action at local scales.

Robert, S., Quercy, A., & Schleyer-Lindenmann, A. (2023). Territorial inertia versus adaptation to climate change. When local authorities discuss coastal management in a French Mediterranean region. Global Environmental Change, 81, 102702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102702