Accelerating the Mangrove Breakthrough at COP29: Global action and investments for scaling mangrove conservation
The launch of the NDC Task Force and strengthened partnerships took centre stage at COP29 to accelerate mangrove conservation and climate resilience worldwide
By Global Mangrove Alliance | November 21, 2024
COP29 continued to mobilize significant progress towards securing the Mangrove Breakthrough’s goal of 15 million hectares of mangroves underpinned by US$4 billion of new investments by 2030.
At COP29 today, the UAE Pavilion hosted a pivotal event, “Achieving the Mangrove Breakthrough: Global Action on Mangrove Restoration and Protection.” Co-organized by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) and the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA), the event showcased significant advancements since COP28.
The Mangrove Breakthrough, a multi-stakeholder initiative, targets a major upsurge in global action for mangroves. With an ambitious goal to mobilize US$4 billion in sustainable finance, the initiative aims to protect and secure 15 million hectares of mangrove forests by 2030, critical for biodiversity, climate resilience, and coastal protection. The partnership is driving a transformative initiative at the intersection of conservation, science, finance, and policy.
“Since its announcement at COP27, the Mangrove Breakthrough has gained significant momentum and brought much-needed attention to mangroves. Momentum is building, and we must continue to unite to protect and restore these coastal forests. As countries submit new and revised Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement, the moment to leverage mangroves as a Nature-Based Solution is now. We must unite to ensure these plans include clear targets for mangrove conservation.” said H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28.
The event marked a strategic gathering for the Mangrove Breakthrough’s Community of Actors, comprised of key stakeholders from civil society, governments, Indigenous groups, and the private sector. Together, they explored collaborative pathways to optimize efforts, reduce costs, and synchronize strategies, leading up to COP30.
Key milestones since COP28:
Since UNFCCC COP28, The Breakthrough has gained significant momentum and brought much-needed attention to mangroves.
- Launched the NDC Task Force to help countries develop science-based NDCs that prioritize mangrove conservation essential nature-based solutions within climate commitments to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
- Established an Advisory Council, a consortium of representatives from key stakeholder sectors to guide the strategic direction and governance of the Mangrove Breakthrough. The Council convened for its Inaugural Council Meeting in London last April.
- Established the Mangrove Breakthrough Secretariat, being hosted by Ambition Loop, an international NGO based in Santiago, Chile.
- To fill data and knowledge gaps and promote science-based approaches, the GMA developed the Best Practice Guidelines on Mangrove Restoration and the Mangrove Restoration Track Tool, as well as provided updates of the Global Mangrove Watch to support the Mangrove Breakthrough Community of Action in scaling up their mangrove interventions and addressing implementation challenges.
- Wetlands International and the Global Mangrove Alliance lead development of Regional Roadmaps and country proposals to mobilize large-scale funding to achieve the Breakthrough targets by supporting locally led action on the ground and addressing impediments to scaling conservation and restoration efforts.
- 30 national and subnational governments are endorsing the Mangrove Breakthrough, showcasing global leadership towards the protection of 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030.
“The Mangrove Breakthrough’s progress since COP28 is building political momentum to realize mangroves’ potential to help countries adapt and mitigate to climate change by providing habitat for biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods,” said Carlos Correa, Ambassador to the Mangrove Breakthrough and Colombia’s former Minister of the Environment. “The NDC Task Force is excited to be partnering with Mangrove Breakthrough governments to make science-based mangrove conservation and finance central to their next round of climate commitments.”
This event further strengthened the partnership between the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the Global Mangrove Alliance. Launched at COP27 and led by the United Arab Emirates with Indonesia, the MAC promotes mangroves as a nature-based solution to climate challenges. The Global Mangrove Alliance brings together a wide spectrum of technical experts, civil society organisations, governments, local communities, businesses, funding agencies, and foundations to accelerate a comprehensive, coordinated, global approach to mangrove conservation and restoration at a meaningful scale.”
As one of the world’s most important ecosystems, mangroves not only help protect coastlines, but they provide critical resources for local communities and their livelihoods. The Mangrove Breakthrough and the continued momentum building at COP29 signal the importance of protecting biodiversity, investing in nature and ensuring that we develop, restore, and protect these incredible carbon sinks around the world,” said Jayati Chourey of SaciWATERs and GMA Steering Committee member.
Julio Montes de Oca, representing Audubon Americas on the Global Mangrove Alliance Steering committee, affirmed the Alliance’s support. “Achieving the Mangrove Breakthrough goals demands an all-hands-on-deck approach to rapidly scale up conservation and restoration efforts. We are thrilled to leverage our 89 member organisations and 13 National Chapters to partner with the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and build the foundations for a nature-positive and climate resilience future.”
“Mangroves are a vital ally in achieving global biodiversity targets and staying within the 1.5°C climate threshold. However, as highlighted by the first-ever global assessment for the Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems, published by IUCN earlier in 2024, climate change is increasingly threatening this critical nature-based solution—one we cannot afford to lose,” said Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General, Programme. “Achieving the goals of the Mangrove Breakthrough requires bold, unified action to scale up conservation and restoration. This isn’t just about saving trees—it’s about protecting people. Together with our Global Mangrove Alliance partners, IUCN stands ready to provide the technical expertise and best practices needed to ensure high-impact, integrity-driven outcomes for nature, people, and climate.”
About the Mangrove Breakthrough
The Mangrove Breakthrough was launched at COP27 as part of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, building on the Breakthrough Agenda and the pioneering work of the Global Mangrove Alliance. Its mission is to provide a strategic global compass for the international community to drive concerted action on mangrove conservation and restoration through five critical pathways:
- Developing a community of action
- Bridging finance and project pipeline for on-the-ground action
- Driving a systemic approach at global and landscape scales
- Enhancing transparency and accountability across projects
- Facilitating continuous learning and knowledge exchange
Ambition Loop serves as the Secretariat of the Mangrove Breakthrough, supporting coordination and governance. Follow Ambition Loop on Linkedin, Website, Instagram, and X.
For Media Inquiries:
Sam Goodman | Communications Director, Mangrove Breakthrough | sam.goodman@ambitionloop.earth | +506 88337435
Connor Nickerson Wheatley | Communications Manager, Climate and Ocean, Global Mangrove Alliance | connor.wheatley@tnc.org| +1 770-653-0422
