Introduction: The objective of this result is to contribute theoretically and methodologically to solving problems of coastal risk management, aggravated by the impact of climate change on coastal island and continental states, from an integrated and interdisciplinary governance perspective. Methods: It made use of scientific research methodology and science-specific methods and its triangulation. Results: It is concluded that the integration of scientific knowledge favors the understanding of the complexity that risk management implies for coastal governance; also that the training, communication and participation of social actors allow for progress to be made at higher levels of governance. The new knowledge generated contributed to making these processes more effective by promoting scenarios of resilience and sustainability in insular and continental coastal nations.