Safeguarding Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs for GBF Target 3 and Beyond

Coral reefs, essential for food security, livelihoods, and coastal protection, have suffered a ~50% loss since the 1950s due to climate change and human activities. Despite their importance, less than 12% of coral reefs are actively conserved. This side event, framed within the global science of climate-resilient reefs and innovative conservation finance solutions, will address the urgent need to meet Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) to protect 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030.

Through case studies from the Philippines, Mozambique, Fiji, and AFD – Agence Française Développement, the event will explore national implementation of GBF targets, with a focus on protecting climate-resilient reefs—reefs located in cooler waters or with higher recovery rates from coral bleaching. Discussions will address key mechanisms like biodiversity planning, monitoring, resource mobilization, and mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors (AFD will talk about regional initiatives).

The event will emphasize the importance of protecting coral reefs to safeguard ecosystems and the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Without urgent action, 50-70% of coral reefs could be lost by mid-century, threatening global biodiversity, food security, and coastal protection. This is a critical moment to catalyze action from the 100 coral reef nations.

Lead Organisation: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Co-organisation(s): Mozambican Oceanographic Institute, Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Department of the Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Philippines(DENR-BMB, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) of Fiji, AFD – Agence Française de Développement, Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and Bloomberg Ocean Initiative.

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT AGENDA (.PDF)

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT SUMMARY (.PDF)