Cala Millor: A European Benchmark in Climate Adaptation of Beaches

What is SOCIB and what is its role?

SOCIB is the Coastal Observation System of the Balearic Islands. We monitor and predict how the sea behaves and how it interacts with the coast. This is key to understanding the impact of climate change, especially in a sea like the Mediterranean, which is semi-enclosed and heating up faster than the oceans. We analyse the sea surface temperature and the frequency of extreme events such as storms and heat waves, which are becoming increasingly intense. We also work on operational aspects, such as maritime safety and spill response, and provide decision-making tools to local, state and European authorities.

What is the difference between climate and weather, and why is it important?

It’s key to understand this difference: climate refers to the average weather conditions and determines, for example, what clothes we keep in our wardrobe. The weather, on the other hand, is what we decide to wear every day depending on the conditions. This distinction is essential for analysing the impacts of climate change in the medium and long term, but also for managing extreme weather events such as torrential rains or storms, which have immediate effects on our coasts.

How is climate change affecting our beaches?

The sea warming up is evident: this summer we’ve had temperatures 3 to 5 degrees above average. This directly affects marine ecosystems and beach morphology, which suffer more erosion and changes in wave direction. All this forces us to rethink how we adapt our beaches to these new circumstances.

What’s being done in Cala Millor?

We’ve been working there for more than 20 years. After the storms in 2001, we started a monitoring programme together with IMEDEA, Son Servera and Sant Llorenç town councils, and hotel associations. Today, Cala Millor has become an international benchmark. Thanks to this prior knowledge, Europe granted us the LIFE Adapt Cala Millor project. We studied the impact of rising sea levels and storms on the dry beach (where towels are laid) and the wet beach (where sand shifts and builds up in winter). Part of the work is to understand how this system works and what measures can help make it more resilient.

What role do citizens have in this project?

They’re fundamental. One of the project's focuses is multilevel governance, involving scientists, urban planning experts, architects, economists, hotel associations, schools and civil society in general. More than 50 entities are involved. It’s not just about science; it’s about creating a social consensus for effective joint decision-making. That’s what we’re achieving through LIFE Cala Millor.

What concrete adaptation measures are being implemented?

The most significant of these is recessing the promenade in certain areas and restoring dune systems. Urban reforms are also being considered to allow the beach to evolve naturally. The aim is to protect both wet and dry beaches and to ensure there’s a ‘sand reserve’ both in front of and behind the shoreline.

How do you balance sustainability with tourism?

Sustainability should be understood as a balance between environmental, economic and social factors. For a long time, economic considerations were prioritised without taking into account environmental limits. Now we know that this isn’t feasible. We need environmental indicators at the same level as economic and social indicators. In the Balearic Islands, for example, we don’t have a beach monitoring system like in the Netherlands, which has been measuring the evolution of every 50 metres of coastline for a century. We also make a living from the sea and our beaches, so we need that same level of knowledge to make informed decisions.

What could happen if we don’t act in time? And what would Cala Millor look like in 2050 if the right measures are implemented?

This could be better answered in two years' time. But if we fail to act, we’ll lose the dry beach, which will have economic and social consequences. But we’re on the right track. We hope the LIFE project will give us a clear proposal for coastal redevelopment, protection of the underwater ecosystem, dune restoration and climate-adapted urbanisation. If we succeed, Cala Millor will not just adapt, but will serve as a model for other urban beaches in Europe.