Municipal elections: Surfrider urges Nice candidates to prioritize the coast

The NGO Surfrider has sent a letter to the lists running in Nice’s municipal elections (excluding the far right). The organization wants to obtain precise positions on coastal development, in a context marked by the multiplication of storms and rising sea levels. This initiative is part of a national campaign conducted with several coastal municipalities.

The NGO Surfrider has chosen to directly challenge the Nice candidates. The foundation recalls that the first months of 2026 were marked by storms Goretti and Nils, whose effects affected many sectors of the French coast.

The Climadiag projections show a rise in sea level in Nice in the coming decades. Extreme phenomena are expected to become more frequent by 2050. This evolution puts local authorities facing structural choices. The next municipal term will cover a period when the effects of climate change should intensify. It should be noted that the Alpes-Maritimes department has not been spared in recent years from large-scale meteorological phenomena.

In the letter sent to the lists, Surfrider insists on the significance of local decisions. Adeline Plé, local advocacy officer for Surfrider Foundation, recalls that “the municipal mandate commits municipalities for six years, a critical period in light of accelerating climate impacts. The choices made today determine tomorrow’s risk exposure.” The organization wishes to obtain clear commitments on the intended directions for Nice’s coastline.

This challenge is part of action taken with 24 coastal municipalities. Surfrider is based on ten recommendations presented at the conference “2026 Municipal Elections – What future for our coastlines”. The objective is to encourage the integration of appropriate measures into municipal programs. The NGO emphasizes the need for development designed “with the Ocean, and not against it”.

Nature-based solutions

Surfrider values nature-based solutions (NbS) as adaptation levers. This approach is based on the restoration or preservation of coastal ecosystems capable of reducing risks related to storms, erosion or rising waters. Dunes, marshes, reefs, beaches and seagrass meadows play a role in wave energy dissipation, sediment stabilization and water filtration.

The beach-dune system is a central example. Vegetation stabilizes sand and limits dune movement. During a stormy episode, some of the sand migrates toward the beach and absorbs wave energy. During calm periods, wind gradually brings this sand back toward the dune. This mechanism ensures continuous adaptation to hazards, without mechanical intervention.

NbS present several complementary benefits:

• Biodiversity: restored habitats become habitats for many species and breeding or feeding areas.
• Climate: mangroves, seagrass meadows or salt marshes store carbon in their biomass and sediments. This “blue carbon” contributes to climate change mitigation.
• Water quality: vegetation filters pollutants and improves the quality of coastal waters, an important issue for tourist municipalities.
• Uses: natural coastal spaces offer places of relaxation and promote outdoor physical activities.

The implementation of these solutions requires detailed knowledge of ecosystems and long-term planning. Local authorities must integrate these approaches into their urban planning documents and development strategies. NbS do not constitute a single solution, but they represent an important tool for strengthening the resilience of territories.

Surfrider wishes that the Nice candidates clarify their position on these directions. The city faces challenges related to beach protection, management of urbanized areas close to the shore and preservation of natural spaces. The decisions made in the coming months will have lasting effects on the organization of the coastline and on the safety of residents.

The NGO’s approach aims to inscribe these questions in the municipal debate. Programs will need to respond to growing expectations in terms of climate adaptation. This challenge seeks to obtain clear commitments on a subject that has become structural for the future of the territory.