At the global level, the problem of coastal erosion is framed as one of the main
risks associated with climate change (Haque & Burton, 2005). The first major
document on climate change including coastal erosion is the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN, 1992b). It was negotiated at the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), widely
known as the “Earth Summit”, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. In this
document, coastal erosion is referred to as a consequence of climate change national
authorities should be accountable for.