This guide provides a brief introduction to key physical impacts of climate change on estuaries and a review of on-the-ground adaptation options available to coastal managers to reduce their systems’ vulnerability to climate change impacts.

Reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, referred to as mitigation, is a necessary component of the overall response to climate change, and can help avoid, reduce, or delay future impacts. However, this guide focuses on climate change adaptation for estuaries and coastal areas because:

1. Estuaries are highly and uniquely vulnerable to climate change,
2. Adaptation will be necessary to address impacts resulting from warming, which is already unavoidable due to past and current emissions, and
3. Adaptation can help reduce the long-term costs associated with climate change.

The guide provides an overview of key climate change impacts on coastal areas, existing adaptation options, and selected resources for further information.