Purpose – The study develops a critical analysis, focused on the process of spatial touristification of the region of Tofo, Barra, Tofinho and Rocha, (Municipality of Inhambane), geographically designated by the acronym TBT, in the Mozambican cartographic context, from an analytical perspective of environmental ethics.

Design/methodology/approach – The research analyses the historical process of spatial touristification (2013 – 2023), using the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) indicator, through collections of Landsat 8 images and images extracted, by the authors, from the Climate Central database and the Central for Sustainable Development for Coastal Zones.

Findings – The study concluded that areas along the coast showed higher rates of variation in land use change, with values ​​ranging from -0.2376 to 0.0275, indicating a relatively intense touristification process in these areas. The research suggests that the touristification process should take into account the intrinsic value of the local biodiversity, and that there should be a migration from an environmental ethic, based on individual rationalism, to an ethical holism. The research also proposes a logic of climate adaptation, centered on the Integrated Coastal Zone Management approach, with a systemic focus on measures in three dimensions : physical-environmental, socioeconomic and institutional.

Practical implications – The results of this research have the potential to impact the design of public adaptation policies for the TBT region, in favor of sustainable tourism.

Originality/value – The article broadens and deepens scientific debate regarding the relevance of including environmental ethics in the process of spatial touristification, as a prerequisite for sustainable tourism.

Research limitations – For a better understanding of the dialectical relationship between spatial touristification, coastal tourism, environmental ethics and climate adaptation, more variables can be included in the future, such as territorial slope trend; water balance; and sea water temperature trend.