The Palais des Rois Sardes hosted a working session dedicated to climate change adaptation. Public stakeholders, experts, and local representatives gathered to analyze local vulnerabilities and discuss action levers, especially concerning the use of water resources.
Gathered at the Palais des Rois Sardes in Nice, numerous local actors dedicated a day to ecological planning. The Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, opened the discussions by recalling the climate context. He praised the participants’ mobilization before highlighting a situation already evident in the department. The recent years have been marked by floods, storms, fires, and landslides. The Prefect mentioned the deadly floods of October 2015, Storm Alex in 2020 and Storm Aline in 2023. The coast also remains subject to sea surges and coastline erosion.
In his speech, Laurent Hottiaux emphasized the importance of this meeting. The Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes reminded that COP 30 had just ended in Brazil and that global awareness remained uneven before citing as an example the United Nations Conference on the Ocean, organized in Nice at the beginning of June this year.
The Prefect highlighted that global warming is accelerating. “The last eleven years have been the hottest since 176 years ago!”, referring to climate projections that predict a challenging rise in temperature to contain. “The goal of limiting the temperature increase to 2ยฐ by 2100 compared to pre-industrial times seems unattainable.”
This trend already has tangible effects in the department. The summer of 2024 was marked by extreme heat. Water resources remain under pressure. “After a difficult summer, we are still facing a water shortage in November, even if no one is talking about it,” he pointed out.
Beyond recognizing the issue, the Prefect called for collective mobilization . “Given this reality, there is no room for complacency.” Adapting the territory involves reconsidering urban planning, consumption patterns, water and energy management. The State representative reminded that public policies must integrate this trajectory. “Ecological planning is not an additional option.”
Engaging Discussions on Adaptation and Possible Actions
The morning session allowed for the presentation of territorial vulnerabilities through nationally developed climate maps. Speakers detailed the Reference Warming Trajectory, which forecasts a 2.7ยฐC average warming by 2050 and 4ยฐC by 2100, even if carbon neutrality is achieved by 2050. The modification of the SRADDET (Regional Scheme for Development, Sustainable Development, and Territorial Equality) was then presented, followed by a point devoted to the available funding.
The afternoon was dedicated to four roundtables. The first focused on the adaptation of agriculture and pastoralism in Maralpin to the reduction of water resources. Speakers described the increasing tensions on soils and usage. The second roundtable addressed the adaptation of housing to future climates, with a focus on bioclimatic architecture and thermal performance.
Two other workshops followed. The first explored the future of mountain tourism in response to decreased snowfall and heatwaves. The second dealt with coastal activities facing coastline erosion.
In conclusion, Laurent Hottiaux reminded the importance of coordinated action. “We must keep a simple idea in mind: it is not only about enduring climate change, but also about collectively building the conditions for a sustainable future for the Alpes-Maritimes, and learning to live with it.”
The Prefect took this opportunity to announce the preparation of measures on water, forests, and waste, intended to engage local stakeholders. “I am going to take strong measures concerning water, the future of forests, and waste management in the coming weeks to mobilize stakeholders and establish ambitious and shared roadmaps.”
This day established a common working framework and reiterated the urgency of adapting a territory already under multiple pressures. Participants shared their assessments and outlined possible actions. The discussions should inform the development of future local strategies.
