A final aggregated vulnerability index was obtained by combining all the partial indices belonging to each of the five vectors with V4 scores multiplied by −1 since Vector 4 indicators are of “resilience” rather than of “vulnerability”. Figures 6a and 6b show respectively map and cartogram of the geographical distribution obtained for this vector. As can be seen, except for most of Ireland, the Atlantic European coast ap- pears in redish colours corresponding to higher values of vulnerability.

It contemplates the assessment of vulnerability due to passengers and goods transportation and cov- ers indicators related to sustainability awareness (energy efficiency, land use, etc.). Shipping has an environmental impact both in ports, as well as in the immediate vicinity of the ports. This vector tries to capture the impact of the port activity on vulnerability. Vector 2 indicators have been obtained from Eurostat and EcoPorts, a environmental initiative of the European port sector fully integrated into the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) since 2011.

It covers indicators related to demographic pressure, tourism and recreation, economic devel- opment and land use and infrastructure development. This vector captures the impact of human coastal activities on vulnera- bility. In this framework, we are particularly interested in the tourism sector, which is one of the main economic activities in the coast. Tourism is an important economic sector due to its contribution to GDP and employment. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Tourims generates 10.4% of all global economic activity. It contributes 319 million jobs, representing one in ten of all jobs globally. It is a sector that has been growing faster than the global economy for the last eight years. Europe plays an important role in this sector with 51% of international tourits arrivals and 39% of international tourist revenues. Taking into account the countries included in the European Atlantic Arc, it is worth pointing out that France and Spain are first and second, respectively, in the world ranking of international tourist arrivals, with United Kingdom in the seventh position. With respect to international tourism revenues, Spain and France are second and third in the world ranking, respectively, while United Kingdom occupies the fifth position. Coastal tourism contributes significantly in theses coun- tries. It represents 75.6% of total tourism in Spain, 28% in Portugal, 23% in France, 10% in Ireland and 6% in the United Kingdom (Foley et al., 2014, p.204).

It is related to EU SCIs (Coastal Sites of Community Importance). Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world. The aim of the network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats, listed under both the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. This vector tries to capture the effect of the Natura 2000 network on maintaining the resilience of ecosystems, especially in the marine environment.

This vector uses information from two European directives: the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC, 2006/7/EC) which aims “to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment and to protect human health” and the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC , 2008/98/EC) whose essential objective is “the protection of human healthand the environment against harmful effects caused bythe collec- tion, transport, treatment, storage and tipping of waste”.