Coastal ecosystems provide a wide range of goods and services in the Global South countries. Nevertheless, climate-induced extreme events cause unprecedented impacts that result in a reduction of aquatic goods and services, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of human lives. Hence, effective management and adaptation strategies are required to sustain the benefits of coastal areas and tackle the socioeconomic impacts of climate-induced risks. This review aims to assess the impacts of climate-induced coastal hazards and adaptation strategies in Global South countries. The findings revealed that coastal flooding, cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion, ocean acidification, algal blooms and saltwater intrusion were the main climate-induced coastal hazards in Global South countries. The South Asian countries face the highest frequency of cyclones and storm surges, while African coastal nations experience greater rainfall variability and drought-related hazards. Besides, ocean acidification disproportionately affect Small Island States. Coastal hazards had significant impacts on the fishery, water, agriculture, coastal ecosystems, and tourism sectors. Saltwater intrusion simultaneously reduces water quality and agricultural productivity, and damages coastal ecosystems. This further creates cascading effects on livelihoods and migration patterns. Studies show that the efficiency of hybrid adaptation measures outweighs the efficiency of hard, soft, and ecosystem-based adaptation measures to adapt to the impacts of coastal hazards in Global South countries. Hybrid approaches achieve 30–45% higher benefit/cost ratios than single-measure adaptations, with lower residual risks and greater ecological co-benefits. In the Global South, development sectors face unprecedented impacts from climate-induced coastal hazards due to their high exposure to coastal hazards coupled with their low economy. The vulnerability of Global South countries to coastal hazards will continue unless all stakeholders act proactively, unlike focusing on reactive adaptation measures. Moreover, an empirical investigation of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of coastal hazards in the region is vital to develop efficient adaptation plans.
Desta G. A., Molla E., Sitotie Y. M., Getnet K. & Gebremedhine M. G., 2026. Climate-induced coastal hazards, impacts and adaptation strategies in Global South countries: a review. Discover Environment 4: 248. doi: 10.1007/s44274-026-00747-8. Article.
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