Europe’s overseas territories ‘pummelled’ by rising sea levels

This week, sea level rise was a key topic at the UN’s General Assembly. 

The representatives of small island developing states and low-lying countries urged immediate international action to combat the phenomenon – a global crisis threatening the lives and livelihoods of one billion people worldwide. 

“Today is our historical opportunity to turn the global tide and to embark on a common path that secures prosperity, dignity and rights to all affected countries and communities,” said the Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

The meeting places sea level rise at the top of the international agenda and marks “the take-off” for global efforts to shape an ambitious Assembly declaration in September 2026.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by 2050, global sea levels will rise between 15 and 30 centimetres, on average.

This will impact dozens of Pacific and Caribbean Islands, many of which remain under the governance of European countries – what responsibility do these nations have to provide protection against climate change? 

‘Not everyone has the luxury of high ground’

“Our world is in dangerous waters,” warned Secretary-General António Guterres in his introductory remarks at the meeting on Wednesday. 

“We need a strong financial outcome at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference [COP29].”

Echoing such a call was General Assembly President Philémon Yang (Cameroon), who highlighted the need for a collective response that protects those who call the world’s most vulnerable regions home.  

“Not everyone has the luxury of high ground or the financial resources to take precautionary measures,” he said.  

There are almost one billion people worldwide living in low-lying coastal areas that are becoming increasingly vulnerable to storm surges, coastal erosion and flooding. 

This translates as a threat to economic stability and even habitability. 

Guterres warned of “communities swamped, fresh water contaminated, crops ruined, infrastructure damaged, biodiversity destroyed and economies decimated – with sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and tourism pummelled.”

Many climate-vulnerable islands are overseas territories of European nations

A recent study by French climate change group Réseau Action Climat found that overseas territories are the regions of France that are most exposed to the impacts of climate change. 

The effects are already visible, with low-lying areas of some islands now chronically submerged at high tide. As sea levels rise, some places will no longer be habitable within this century, such as the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia.

ADVERTISEMENT

This is also the fate of Pointe-à-Pitre, which is home to more than a quarter of the Guadeloupean population, as well as the Jarry area, the third largest business park in France. 

The coastal risks here could cost €100 million per year by 2050, while nearly 50 per cent of the inhabitants live below the poverty line. According to the most pessimistic projections, these areas could be submerged for 180 days per year by 2060.

Are European nations responsible for climate protection of overseas territories?

Despite the vulnerability of their overseas territories, European countries have taken little action to shore them up against climate change. 

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has now been given the go-ahead to take the Dutch government to court over failure to protect a former colony in the Caribbean from sea level rise.

ADVERTISEMENT

In January, eight citizens of Bonaire collaborated with Greenpeace to sue the Dutch government for lack of action to safeguard them against climate change. 

The Caribbean island is still part of the Netherlands and is classed as an independent local authority area.

“It shouldn’t matter whether you live on Bonaire, on Ameland or in Valkenburg. It’s the Dutch government’s duty to protect all of us from the consequences of the climate crisis,” said Greenpeace Nederland director Andy Palmen at the time.

Parts of Bonaire will disappear underwater with sea level rise and its coral reef, which provides flood protection for the island, is in danger of destruction, according to researchers at Amsterdam’s VU university.

ADVERTISEMENT