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Mayors’ round table

The 5 session of the day focused on the operational approach of
th
mayors. Representatives of the cities of Sausalito (California), Matosinhos
(Portugal) , Biarritz and Nice in turn presented the specific context of

their territory and the adaptation measures undertaken.

Janelle Kellman, Mayor of Sausalito (California - 500,000 inhabitants)
Climate-related risks: floods, currents, storms, forest fires
Strategy and challenges: “I set up a working group on rising sea levels. It is vital to have access to excellent experts. We
have produced a report and created an interactive map which shows the vulnerabilities of the territory, issued many
recommendations, including on the management of areas prone to flooding and habitat protection, a major issue in the
State of California which faces a housing crisis. We are also working with insurance policies on the concept of ‘risk waterfall’
on flooding.”

Maider Arosteguy, Mayor of Biarritz (26,000 inhabitants, 150 000 in summer)
Climate-related risks: submersion, erosion, storms, quality of bathing water
Strategy and challenges: “In Biarritz, we have 4,500 linear kilometres of cliffs in the public domain. Since 1984, we have invested
in a programme to consolidate our cliffs which house all our economic infrastructure.
To counter the risk of submersion, we have implemented a system to protect against the waves. We are working to improve the
quality of the bathing water thanks to high-quality water treatment plants. We are particularly careful about the development
of toxic microalgae encouraged by global warming. We are working with an innovative laboratory on these issues.”

Aurore Asso, Environmental Advisor for the City of Nice (340,000 inhabitants)
Climate-related risks: floods, storms, forest fires
Strategy and challenges: “Nice has launched an extensive climate plan (2019-2026). In terms of adaptation, we are working on
revegetation projects for the city and the creation of a marine protected area. As far as the direct reduction of the city’s carbon
emissions is concerned, we have introduced a second electric tram line, are developing a cycling plan, are financing electric
buses for 2026. We are also considering a green hydrogen sea shuttle which could serve as a model in the Mediterranean.
Furthermore, we are monitoring changes to the coastline on the Promenade des Anglais, even though we are relatively
unaffected by rising sea levels.”