The recovery of the Tonpoi cliffs in Bermeo is showcased as a model of coastal restoration in the RegionsAdapt Report 2024
12/02/2025
The report states that the initiative, part of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project, "represents a significant achievement in climate-adaptive restoration and stands as a model for other coastal regions facing similar challenges".
The annual RegionsAdapt Progress Report 2024, published by the Regions4 international network, has included the action carried out in the Tonpoi area, Bermeo, within the framework of the LIFE IP Urban Klima 2050 project as part of its 'Regions in Action' section. This recognition highlights the effort made in coastal restoration with climate adaptation criteria in an area of high ecological and landscape value.
Under the title "Recovering Tonpoi Cliffs: A Model for Climate-Adapted Coastal Restoration in Bermeo” (Recovering Tonpoi Cliffs: A Model for Climate-Adapted Coastal Restoration in Bermeo), the article highlights that the intervention is the result of "an ambitious plan to reinstate ecological balance while addressing the environmental challenges of the area", and that the Tonpoi project "stands as a model for other coastal regions facing similar challenges".
The article describes how the area, located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to the Natura 2000 Network, has been transformed from a degraded area through a climate-adapted coastal restoration model. The intervention has enabled the cliffs to be restored with native species, enhanced the biodiversity through the creation of microhabitats and pedestrian paths have been built to offer the local community a green space that is accessible and resilient to the effects of climate change.
It also highlights that the intervention developed within the framework of Urban Klima 2050 has enabled this space to be reclaimed as a peri-urban green infrastructure that balances ecological and social needs. The park has been designed with natural materials and sustainable practices, including the planting of 77 indigenous trees, as well as more than 1,500 shrubs. Furthermore, microhabitats have been created to foster the local biodiversity.
The report also highlights that "by blending natural beauty with functional design, the restored Tonpoi cliffs serve as a gateway for Bermeo residents to connect with nature, seamlessly linking the town centre to the coastal environment along a newly constructed 3-kilometre path that leads to Aritzatxu beach".
Nature-Based Solutions: A global concept for climate resilience and sustainability
The report also includes a section devoted to Nature-Based Solutions, highlighting the publication by Ihobe 'Nature-Based Solutions in the Basque Country. 20 success stories to adapt to climate change by applying NBS', which details 20 success stories to adapt to climate change by applying this type of solutions.
As the article highlights, "the Basque Country has long prioritised nature-based adaptation, embedding it into regional planning and developing the tools needed for effective implementation. Its latest publication showcases successful nature-based adaptation projects and provides practical guidance for local decision-makers on designing and implementing nature-based strategies”.
