Next Billion – Press Release: A First-Of-A-Kind Approach to Building Resilience of Coastal Communities Unveiled to Coincide With UNGA and Climate Week 2024

Resilienture (“RESI”), a leading private sector-led infrastructure, project management and impact investing firm, is calling for a more holistic and capital-led approach to tackling the threat of climate in coastal communities.

The “Resilient Shores Infrastructure 360 (Reshore360) White Paper is unveiled to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Climate Week, the largest annual gathering of its kind, a fitting stage for discussing innovative solutions to global challenges.

Reshore360 presents a comprehensive blueprint for protecting at-risk populations living in coastal regions and islands. As climate change continues to intensify, the need for resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters has never been more critical. Via Reshore360, RESI is unveiling a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at hurricane-proofing coastal communities via holistic, leading-edge, sustainable infrastructure project deployment through blended-finance solutions.

“We are thrilled to present this pioneering work during UNGA 2024,” said Ramón ‘Quique’ Riancho, Co-Founder of Resilienture. “The Reshore360 white paper offers an initial blueprint for a scalable model that combines innovative, science-based engineering, nature-based solutions, and resilient critical infrastructure such as water, energy and food security, all underpinned by our unique blended finance approach. This is a significant step forward in our mission to safeguard coastal populations and foster sustainable development.”

RESI is set to mobilize global efforts in coastal resilience by leveraging the expertise of its teams and partners to drive nature-based solutions (NbS) as foundational economic drivers that protect critical infrastructure and coastal communities. Through its pioneering Reshore360 methodology, an open-source and scalable framework, RESI offers a practical blueprint for sustainable shoreline protection projects worldwide, targeting over 680 million people living in coastal zones, including 65 million in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Immediate investment of USD$800 – USD$850 billion annually is required to address biodiversity loss and safeguard critical infrastructure. The cost of inaction, over the next five years, could exceed USD$10 – USD$15 trillion, alongside catastrophic environmental and social impacts. Addressing this issue now is essential for ensuring global stability, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

The Reshore360 white paper outlines the vision, mission and objectives of RESI in developing and launching Reshore360, emphasising the critical need for a multifaceted approach to coastal resilience. Key components include the deployment of artificial, science-based, nature-enhancing reefs, mangroves, ecological dikes, and resilient coastal development, all designed to create a layered defense system for coastal zones and critical infrastructure against the growing threats of climate change.

RESI’s commitment to blended finance is central to the success of this initiative. By integrating public and private investments as a key element of Reshore360, RESI aims to demonstrate that it is possible to protect vulnerable communities while delivering sustainable, impact-driven, net-positive, economic returns.

As part of RESI’s ongoing efforts to drive positive social and environmental impact, the white paper also introduces a detailed financial model for reshoring infrastructure, which will be initially piloted in the Caribbean. This pilot project will serve as a proof of concept, with the potential for global application.

“We believe at RESI, that Reshore360 will set a new standard for coastal resilience,” added Florian Kemmerich, Co-Founder of Resilienture. “Our approach goes beyond immediate disaster response – it is about building lasting, adaptable solutions that ensure coastal communities can not only survive but thrive.”

In expanding its global footprint, RESI remains committed to fostering partnerships that amplify impact and contribute to a more resilient world.

Photo courtesy of Carsten ten Brink.