This technology transfer advances Argentina’s

• Nationally Determined Contribution and its identified adaptation need to intensify and increase early warning systems for intense rains and floods, and to implement structural and non-structural measures to face extreme events.

Context

Buenos Aires’ 400 km long coastline is dominated by sandy beaches, dunes and sandbanks. Sandy sediments are distributed along the coast thanks to long-shore drift currents transporting the sediments from the Colorado and Negro rivers. A growth in population and increased tourism has led to construction of new developments and resorts, transport infrastructure and development of port infrastructure. Due to the environmental fragility of the environment, the extension of the urban area has caused destruction of dunes as well as notable changes to the coastal sediment transport system. In addition, coastal erosion is being further exasperated by the effects of climate change which play a role in increasing sea levels and the frequency and intensity of waves.

Technology request

The Provincial Directorate of Hydraulic Engineering (DPOH) at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services of the Province of Buenos Aires, requested support in accessing up-to-date technology and update on tools previously acquired for coastal morphology study and climate change monitoring. This assistance will ultimately support the development of a regional strategic plan aimed at defining comprehensive guidelines to mitigate the coastal erosion owing to natural processes and effects of human activity on the maritime coast.

CTCN support

The CTCN will provide Argentina with support for updating the tools previously acquired by the DPOH to study the coastal morphology and monitor the effects of climate change, with the aim of applying them to both assessment and adaptation processes. This technical assistance and final application of the technology will result in a product that can support the design and implementation of the Provincial Climate Change Policy.

For further details, please see Documents section below.

Relevant technologies and approaches

• Coastal infrastructure rehabilitation
• Climate change monitoring
• Coastal zoning

Expected impact

Short term

• An understanding of the coastal processes and identification of the most relevant physical variables affecting them.
• Increased access to data and information to be included in databases of climate and marine variables for the coastal region of the Province of Buenos Aires.
• Awareness of sectors that require more detailed study or where there are information gaps.

Medium term

• Provision of a set of guidelines for comprehensive and sustainable coastal management.
• Acquisition of technological tools that will enable an evaluation of the future impact of climate change on the coast
• Development of a final product which will support regional and national plans.  

Long term

• Access to an environmental database of variables linked to the maritime setting which will support activities such as coastal management, risk management, construction of infrastructure etc.
• Technological training for those working in provincial and municipal government, thus improving the design and implementation of a provincial coastal management policy including adaptation to climate change.
• Sustainable management of coastal areas through the development of a Regional Strategic Coastal Management Plan for the Province of Buenos Aires.