Charting a new course for coral conservation

Coral reefs, nature’s vivid tapestries beneath the waves, play a pivotal role in marine ecosystems, supporting a staggering 25 percent of all marine species. Their importance resonates not only through the richness of life they sustain but also in their economic value, estimated at up to US$9.9 trillion annually. However, their survival hangs in the balance, with a 14 percent decline since 2009 and projections pointing to the potential loss of 90 percent of the world’s remaining reefs by 2050.

In response to this pressing challenge, we have launced the Coral Reef Breakthrough. The initiative’s mission is to secure the future of at least 125,000 km2 of shallow-water tropical coral reefs. If we secure an investment of over US$12 billion, our objective is to strengthen the resilience of over half a billion people globally by 2030, ensuring they continue to benefit from these vital marine strongholds.

By setting measurable and science-based targets, the Coral Reef Breakthrough invites public and private actors to rally behind a shared vision, ensuring the survival and prosperity of coral reefs for generations to come.

Beyond individual goals, our efforts align with a broader global commitment, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG14. Moreover, our initiative stands to reinforce the Ocean and Coastal Impact System targets of the Sharm-El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and fortify the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s aspirations.

The urgency is evident, but so is the potential. We invite public and private stakeholders worldwide to endorse, support, and join the Coral Reef Breakthrough, making a decisive stand for the future of our oceans and the countless lives they impact.

 

Supporting Partners

Coral Reef Breakthrough launches to prevent extinction of one of the world’s most threatened, yet most valuable and most biodiverse ecosystems

The UN Climate Change High-level Champions, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) have launched the “2030 Coral Reef Breakthrough” in a bid to secure the future of at least 125,000 km2 of these precious ecosystems.

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First and only global blended finance instrument dedicated to coral reefs launches

A coalition of public and private partners has launched the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) with the ambition to mobilise USD$625 million for coral reef conservation over the next decade.

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Welcoming the Global Fund for Coral Reefs to the Race to Resilience

H.E Ms Razan Al Mubarak, President of the IUCN and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 welcomes the Global Fund for Coral Reefs as a partner to the Race to Resilience.

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If we want to meet the Paris Agreement, we must overhaul how we manage the ocean

As we head towards COP26, governments need to recognize the importance of the ocean in delivering the Paris Agreement, argues Ørsted Chairman, Thomas Thune Andersen.

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