Climate change is expected to impact all aspects of life in Timor-Leste, particularly the coastal zones. Global sea level rise increases coastal vulnerability causing more abrasion and sedimentation thereby amplifying coastal instability. In addition, the current hazard events of floods, droughts, landslides and strong winds have already a devastating impact on the coastal zone including its communities, developments, and environment. 

The assignment “National Coastal Vulnerability Assessment and Designing of Integrated Coastal Management and Adaptation Strategic Plan for Timor-Leste” is part of the project “Building Shoreline Resilience of Timor-Leste to Protect Local Communities and Their Livelihoods”, funded by the Global Environmental Facility. The aim is to address key climate change induced challenges of the coastal areas in Timor-Leste, by conducting an extensive coastal vulnerability assessment. The results of the assessment served as a basis to develop a set of appropriate National Coastal Adaptation Strategies.