Co-creating a coastal climate service to prioritise investments in erosion prevention and sea-level rise adaptation in the Maldives

Abstract

The paper discusses efforts to improve how the Maldives prioritizes investments in erosion prevention for its islands. Through a collaborative process involving government, civil society, and researchers, the authors developed a two-layered ranking method. The first layer assesses erosion hazards using biophysical data, while the second incorporates socioeconomic and stakeholder-selected factors such as infrastructure, economic activity, and resettlement potential. Results showed that stakeholders prioritized socioeconomic criteria over biophysical risks. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, mutual learning, and flexible research approaches in climate adaptation planning.