Dates / Project duration
January 2023 - August 2024 / 20 months
Field of action :
Study on climate change and its effects
Branch : 
Monaco
Location :
Madagascar
Project sponsor(s) :
The Henry L. Stimson Center
?Across Africa, coastal cities are growing rapidly, with profound implications for urban dwellers and the coastal environments on which they depend. In East Africa, coastal nations cover a diverse geographical region, from Sudan in the north to Tanzania in the south, including the islands of Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius. Although urbanisation has brought positive benefits, it poses challenges to the future sustainability of coastal cities, often going beyond the development of housing, waste management and transport infrastructure. These challenges are exacerbated by the accelerating climate risks facing East African coastal cities.
CORVI is a decision support tool designed to help leaders make informed decisions about climate investments to improve the safety and security of coastal cities. Currently operational in 11 coastal cities around the world, CORVI organises data across land and seascapes to provide decision-makers with a complete picture of risk.
The project focuses on Toamasina, a commercial hub crucial to Madagascar's economic security. Like other coastal cities, it faces the combined challenges of climate, ocean and urbanisation. Climate risks, such as cyclones, drought and rising sea levels, combine with rapid urbanisation, the expansion of informal settlements and extensive coastal development, increasing the city's vulnerability. Climate change and coastal urbanisation are also damaging vital ecosystems and undermining the blue economy. Overall, climate-related risks are weakening the city's economic, food and environmental security, increasing the potential for stress and hampering efforts to build resilience.
Recognising these challenges and utilising extensive partnerships in East Africa, Stimson proposes to train the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Madagascar's Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy in the use of the CORVI tool. The resulting CORVI assessment will fill data gaps and provide crucial information to enable policymakers to access the capital needed to build climate resilience.
CORVI is a decision support tool designed to help leaders make informed decisions about climate investments to improve the safety and security of coastal cities. Currently operational in 11 coastal cities around the world, CORVI organises data across land and seascapes to provide decision-makers with a complete picture of risk.
The project focuses on Toamasina, a commercial hub crucial to Madagascar's economic security. Like other coastal cities, it faces the combined challenges of climate, ocean and urbanisation. Climate risks, such as cyclones, drought and rising sea levels, combine with rapid urbanisation, the expansion of informal settlements and extensive coastal development, increasing the city's vulnerability. Climate change and coastal urbanisation are also damaging vital ecosystems and undermining the blue economy. Overall, climate-related risks are weakening the city's economic, food and environmental security, increasing the potential for stress and hampering efforts to build resilience.
Recognising these challenges and utilising extensive partnerships in East Africa, Stimson proposes to train the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Madagascar's Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy in the use of the CORVI tool. The resulting CORVI assessment will fill data gaps and provide crucial information to enable policymakers to access the capital needed to build climate resilience.
