Overview

As climate change increases coastal flood risks, traditional “hard” infrastructure like seawalls is proving less effective on its own—leading to growing interest in nature-based flood defences (NBFD), such as restored wetlands or living shorelines. This study looked at what helps or hinders the shift toward using NBFD by analyzing three real-world examples from around the world. It found that barriers to change—like lack of data, resistance to new approaches, and poor coordination—varied depending on the location, but successful projects shared common strengths: strong leadership, good collaboration, reliable funding, and community involvement. Past flood disasters also played a role in driving change. The study offers practical guidance for policymakers and planners to help overcome challenges and make nature-based solutions a key part of coastal flood management.