This result provides a standardised multi-hazard climate risk assessment methodology tailored for European coastal cities. Developed under the SCORE project by University College Cork, it evaluates hazard, exposure, and vulnerability using spatial datasets, open-source tools like GIS and Python, and expert reviews. The tool was applied to all ten SCORE Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs), producing comparative risk maps that identify climate risk “hotspots” to inform local adaptation strategies.
Designed for municipal authorities, planners, and researchers, the methodology enables cities to prioritise actions, improve climate resilience plans, and share data regionally. While GIS skills are required for implementation, outputs are accessible and informative for decision-makers and the public. For cities like Sligo, Samsun, and Massa lacking baseline data, the methodology fills a major gap. In others with existing climate resilience plans, like Dublin or Gdańsk, it adds depth and consistency. The approach supports EU-wide coordination on adaptation planning and long-term strategic resilience building.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- We are sharing our knowledge
- Collaboration
- Fellowship to advance my/our research
In general, there are a few existing methodologies with multi-hazard criteria, but they are limited to their geographical context and the number of climate-related hazards available for assessment. This methodology includes considerations necessary for coastal cities and subsequently gives a more holistic overview of the climate-related hazards. As such, it can be adapted to numerous contexts and can be applied to any city or region.
- Others/ No specific audience
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
- Academia/ Universities
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The CCLLs helped identify local climate hazards and collect data for detailed risk assessments, informing tailored coastal resilience plans. The validated methodology enables cities to compare risks and prioritize actions through 2040. Efforts are underway to refine, automate, and expand the tool, with a focus on user-friendliness, policy uptake, and wider municipal engagement.
Looking ahead, the final version of the methodology must be developed and widely shared. To ensure its robustness, the UCC team will continue refining the approach through additional case studies, further analysis of risk weighting, and improved projections for future climate risk. There is a clear ambition to automate risk calculations using platforms like Copernicus, enabling more frequent and standardized assessments across European coastal cities. However, this will require significant development and funding.
As part of the peer-review process, the UCC team expanded the methodology and applied it to additional cities: La Spezia (Italy), Bergen (Norway), Cork (Ireland), Klaipėda (Lithuania), Viana do Castelo (Portugal), and Varna (Bulgaria). It is recommended that the results and methodology be shared with the municipal bodies of these cities. In countries where existing CCLLs are active—such as Italy, Ireland, and Portugal—these municipalities should be connected with their national CCLLs to promote knowledge exchange and highlight the practical value of the methodology.
