Coastal erosion is a global problem, with more than 50 per cent of beaches predicted to disappear by the end of the century. On the Catalan coast, 60 per cent of dunes have disappeared due to ports and sea walls. After Storm Gloria in 2020, local efforts, supported by the EU-funded IMPETUS project, began using sand traps to regenerate the dunes. Drones are monitoring progress, with a current focus on Calafell. This municipality is reversing the damage caused by development and tourism, with the aim of restoring its beach to what it was 80 years ago. Calafell’s coastal management could set a precedent for Spain and the Mediterranean.
The IMPETUS project will end in October 2025.
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