Perspective on Regional Sea-level Change and Coastal Impacts
Kathleen L McInnes1, Robert J Nicholls2, Roderik van de Wal3,4
1Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Environment, Aspendale, 3195, Australia.
Cambridge Prisms. Coastal Futures
|August 29, 2025
Summary
Sea-level science has advanced, but climate services remain uneven. Future projections face uncertainty, necessitating co-production for effective coastal planning and hazard management.
Area of Science:
- Climate science
- Oceanography
- Coastal studies
Background:
- The World Climate Research Program's Grand Challenge on Regional Sea-Level Change and Coastal Impacts concludes, highlighting progress and gaps.
- Sea-level science and climate services have advanced but show uneven development globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize sea-level science progress, priorities, and practitioner needs.
- Identify key uncertainties in high-end and long-term sea-level projections.
- Outline pathways for future sea-level science and climate services.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis
- Analysis of scientific developments
- Review of practitioner requirements
- Assessment of climate service delivery
Main Results:
- Deep uncertainties persist regarding high-end sea-level projections due to emissions, ice sheet dynamics, and climate tipping points.
- Practitioners require localized sea-level information, including median and high-end projections for planning, and data on near-term hazards like extreme sea levels and land subsidence.
- Co-production between scientists and practitioners is crucial for maximizing the impact of sea-level science.
Conclusions:
- Continued research is needed to reduce uncertainties in long-term sea-level rise projections.
- Enhanced climate services must provide localized, actionable information for coastal adaptation and planning.
- Strengthening collaboration between the scientific and practitioner communities is essential for effective sea-level rise management.
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