Multiple Stakeholders, One Shared Approach
Led by the Conservatoire du littoral, the Life Adapto+ project brings together various national and local stakeholders who contribute their technical expertise and/or financial support—some of whom are part of the national consortium. Are you leading a coastal climate change adaptation project?
Feel free to contact us to explore potential synergies and paths for collaboration between our initiatives!
Contact : Pauline Malterre, project Coordinator : p.malterre@conservatoire-du-littoral.fr
Conservatoire du littoral : Project Coordinator
Founded in 1975, the Conservatoire du littoral is a public administrative body dedicated to preserving threatened or degraded coastal and lakeside natural areas. Its innovative approach—based on land acquisition in collaboration with local actors—aims to protect these areas from development, integrate them into the public domain, and open to everyone. This unique network encompasses over 840 sites and 220,000 hectares, or 18% of French coastlines, across mainland France and overseas territories. For more than 30 years, the agency has acknowledged the disruptive impacts of climate change on coastlines. Alongside local governments and with the support of its partners, it helps build resilience by protecting vital ecosystems such as dunes, marshes, and wetlands. Projects like LIFE Adapto and now LIFE Adapto+ allow for the experimentation of flexible, nature-based management strategies at the territorial level.
BRGM : Beneficiary Partner
As the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières – BRGM (French Geological Survey) is the national public reference institution for Earth sciences applications related to managing resources and soil/subsoil risks. It is a public industrial and commercial institution (EPIC), working in research, public policy support, and international cooperation.
“Adapting coastal areas to climate change is a priority for BRGM. With this ambitious project, we are renewing our partnership with the Conservatoire du littoral, building on the LIFE Adapto (2017–2022) initiative to scale up nature-based solutions for better management, preservation, and enhancement of the French coastlines.”
— Catherine Lagneau, Chair & CEO, BRGM
Cerema : Beneficiary Partner
The Centre d’études et d’expertise sur les risques, l’environnement, la mobilité et l’aménagement – Cerema (Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility, and Urban Planning) is the leading public institution providing expertise and engineering support to help regions adapt to climate change. It supports government bodies, local authorities, and businesses in developing sustainable planning and mobility strategies.
“Cerema is proud to support territories in their adaptation to climate change—one of the major challenges of our century. Through LIFE Adapto+, we work collaboratively with other national operators to propose resilient, innovative solutions that combine coastal protection and ecosystem preservation. This project perfectly reflects our mission to help local authorities implement concrete, future-proof strategies.”
— Pascal Berteaud, Director General
INRAe : Beneficiary Partner
The Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement – INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment) is the world’s leading research body dedicated to the agriculture–food–environment nexus. In the face of climate disruption, biodiversity decline, resource scarcity, and food security challenges, it plays a key role in driving necessary transitions.
“With the involvement of its EABX and ETTIS research units, the INRAE Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux center is proud to contribute to coastal management and planning to support climate adaptation. By partnering with the Conservatoire du littoral and eight other organizations, we bring together diverse actors and disciplines in a cross-cutting, nature-based approach.”
— Olivier Lavialle, President, INRAE Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux
RNF : Beneficiary Partner
Réserves naturelles de France (RNF) is a French NGO and network for nature reserves. Since 2016, it has been officially recognized in the Environmental Code and has worked for over 40 years to protect natural heritage. It includes nearly 700 members, including 170 site managers, professionals, volunteers, and experts. RNF provides technical support, tools, collaborative projects, and contributes to national protected area strategies.
“RNF has long been engaged in adaptive nature conservation in response to climate change. Through LIFE Natur’Adapt and now LIFE Biodiv’France, we’ve developed practical tools for protected area managers. With over 50 coastal reserves in our network, RNF is proud to be a LIFE Adapto+ partner, helping advance flexible coastal management in a multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral framework.”
— Marie Thomas, Director
ONF : Associated Partner
The Office National des Forêts – ONF (French National Forest Office) manages nearly 11 million hectares of public forests and 380 km of state-owned coastal dunes, mostly on the Atlantic coast—covering over 90,000 hectares.
This management, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, relies on long-standing forestry expertise and nature-based solutions to stabilize dunes, protect forest habitats , and maintain natural mosaics.
“LIFE Adapto+ offers an opportunity to promote and share our knowledge. Lessons from ONF’s three pilot sites will help spread these management techniques across coastal stakeholders. Collaboration with scientists and European managers will strengthen the scientific foundation for tomorrow’s decisions. We are proud to join this journey alongside the Conservatoire du littoral.”
— Jean-Yves Caullet, President
OFB : Associated Partner
The Office français de la biodiversité – OFB is a government agency under the ministries for environment and agriculture. It oversees biodiversity protection, restoration, monitoring, water management, and enforcement of environmental regulations. It also supports public policies and mobilizes society.
“Adapting our coastlines to climate change is central to the OFB’s mission. Through research, field programs, and nature-based solutions, we assist local actors and territories. That’s why we’re contributing to LIFE Adapto+—to promote resilient, sustainable coastal practices.”
— Olivier Thibault, Director General
Tour du Valat : Beneficiary Partner
Founded in 1954 by Luc Hoffmann, Tour du Valat is a recognized public-interest foundation dedicated to the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. It combines scientific research with integrated management, working across its 2,000-hectare estate (a designated regional nature reserve) and the broader Mediterranean Basin.
“At Tour du Valat, we believe coastal climate adaptation must respect ecosystems and be rooted in nature-based solutions. LIFE Adapto+ is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate—at scale—that these approaches are replicable and beneficial for all.”
— Jean Jalbert, Director General
SyMEL : Beneficiary Partner
The Syndicat Mixte Espaces Littoraux de la Manche (SyMEL) manages protected coastal sites in the Manche department on behalf of the Conservatoire du littoral and the Department of Manche. Since the 1970s, the area has pursued an active coastal conservation strategy.
“The themes of LIFE Adapto+—integrated coastal management and nature-based solutions—align perfectly with our mission. Our involvement in two pilot sites reflects our strong commitment. Beyond these two locations, the project’s outcomes will help inform and enhance our broader coastal climate adaptation actions.”
— Valérie Nouvel, President
Île de Noirmoutier : Associated Partner
Located in Vendée, this island community spans 49 km² with 64 km of coastline and about 10,000 year-round residents. Rich in biodiversity and landscape diversity, the area also attracts large numbers of seasonal tourists. Coastal risk management is a key issue for this island territory.
“Innovation is part of islanders’ DNA—they’ve always adapted to their environment. LIFE Adapto+ continues this legacy by rethinking management strategies to meet the defining challenge of our century: climate change.”
— Fabien Gaborit, President
MTE : Funder
The ministry oversees environmental, climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development policies, aiming to ensure quality of life in harmony with both nature and territorial dynamics.
“The Water and Biodiversity Directorate is proud to support LIFE Adapto+, a project that aligns perfectly with national coastal climate adaptation and biodiversity strategies. By scaling up flexible, nature-based coastal management approaches, it guides territories toward respectful adaptation that balances biodiversity, landscapes, and socio-economic realities.”
— Célia de Lavergne, Director of Water and Biodiversity
Banque des Territoires : Funder
A division of Caisse des Dépôts, Banque des Territoires supports all types of local authorities, helping them implement projects of public interest with high social and ecological impact—from rural areas to major urban centers.
“As part of its plan for adapting coastal and overseas areas to climate change, Banque des Territoires is proud to support LIFE Adapto+ alongside the Conservatoire du littoral. This means helping projects reach the operational stage and ultimately preserving the habitability of our territories.”
— Michel-François Delannoy, Director of Territorial Support