The Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched the TRATT’EAU project. Objective: to measure the economic consequences of rising sea levels on coastal areas and prepare the relocation of exposed activities. The project is part of a cross-border dynamic, with a budget of 1.7 million euros.
Climate change is transforming coastlines. Sea levels are rising. The risks for coastal areas are real. Some economic activities are directly threatened. In this context, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched TRATT’EAU. A three-year European project that will be 80% co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
TRATT’EAU brings together partners from both sides of the French-Italian border. It includes AVITEM, SMIAGE, the Liguria Chamber of Commerce, the Province of Massa-Carrara, the University of Cagliari, the Community of Agglomeration of Bastia, among others. The project is part of the Interreg MARITTIMO program.
For Jean-Pierre Savarino, president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce, the project goes beyond the environmental issue alone: “TRATT’EAU is not just a European project: it is a strategic, collective, and cross-border approach. […] Preserving our coastline also means preserving our businesses, our jobs, and our future.”
Three Axes for a Gradual Adaptation
TRATT’EAU is based on three aspects. The first focuses on measuring the impact of rising sea levels on the coastal economy. Dynamic maps will be developed from several climate scenarios (2040, 2070, 2100). These tools will make it possible to identify businesses in at-risk areas. A tide gauge will also be installed to collect precise data. A method for analyzing economic losses will be developed. It can be applied to other territories.
The second aspect is about relocation. An economic real estate observatory will be set up. It will list available lands. The aim is to anticipate the relocation of activities, in collaboration with local authorities and the state. Workshops will be organized with local stakeholders. A territorial commitment charter will be proposed.
The final axis aims to raise awareness among elected officials and institutions. It is not about raising undue alarm but preparing public decisions. Educational tools will be created to facilitate the understanding of the issues. The idea is to integrate these questions into local planning and economic development policies.
The project is part of a symbolic timeline. Nice will host the United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025. The launch of TRATT’EAU echoes this. It shows that territories can take initiative and act locally.
With TRATT’EAU, the Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce aims to lay the foundations for a sustainable strategy. The project seeks to support companies while addressing upcoming climate challenges.
