Since its announcement at COP27, the Mangrove Breakthrough has gained significant momentum and brought much-needed attention to mangroves, critical coastal forests that provide essential benefits to society, biodiversity, and climate. The world’s mangroves were a centrepiece at last year’s COP28 in Dubai, UAE, with the Mangrove Breakthrough having a particularly strong presence. At two flagship events, members of the Breakthrough showcased its growing momentum.

On 4 December, COP28’s thematic Finance Day, the Mangrove Breakthrough Financial Roadmap was launched. Co-developed with investors, experts, and practitioners, the Mangrove Breakthrough Financial Roadmap provides actionable recommendations for scaling mangrove-positive business models and developing innovative financial instruments to accelerate investment in mangroves. Hosted at the Nature Positive Pavilion, by the Global Mangrove Alliance, details of the Roadmap and its endorsers were shared with a wide audience.

On 10 December, COP28’s thematic Oceans Day, the High-level Ministerial Event: A Breakthrough Moment for Mangroves, was held on behalf of the COP28 Presidency, the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), the Global Mangrove Alliance, and the UN CLimate Change High-Level Champions. With the partnership of the MAC, 49 governments* – representing approximately 60% of the world’s mangroves – and over 50 non-state actor endorsers committed to supporting the Breakthrough’s goals of halting mangrove loss, doubling protection, restoring half, and ensuring sustainable financing.

Since COP28, the Mangrove Breakthrough has progressed forward with the launch of its governance structure, beginning with the Council formation. The inaugural meeting of the Mangrove Breakthrough Council, a consortium of representatives from key stakeholder sectors, convened in London to strategize and play an essential role in helping shape the trajectory and success of the Breakthrough.

Led by esteemed leaders from civil society organizations, finance institutions, governments, philanthropic entities, and environmental institutions, the council gathered to foster community among members and outline strategies for the success of the Mangrove Breakthrough. During this convening, the Mangrove Breakthrough Council welcomed:

• Hamda Alawadhi, Director of Partnership and Special Projects at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE
• Dr. Jennifer Howard, VP Blue Carbon at Conservation International
• Ignace Beguin, Ocean & Coastal Zone Lead, High-Level Climate Champions
• Dr. Catherine Lovelock, Professor and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow at the University of Queensland
• Naomi Morenzoni, Sr. Vice President of Climate & Innovation Philanthropy, Salesforce
• Dr. Nalini Tarakeshwar, Head of Programs and Impact Transparency, UBS Optimus
• Lysa Wini, Sky Islands Coordinator, Nia Tero
• David Ramos, Acting Head of Sustainability for the Middle East Region, HSBC
• Ana Paula Prates, Director, Department of Ocean and Coastal Management, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Government of Brazil

Ignace Beguin Billecocq was appointed Chair of the Council.

The council’s objectives included clarifying roles and responsibilities, reviewing the Mangrove Breakthrough Strategic Work Plan, and discussing the key outcomes to achieve by COP30 across the Mangrove Breakthrough Pillars of Impact: Policy, Pipeline, and Finance. The Mangrove Breakthrough Council is committed to fostering collaboration and driving tangible action to address the urgent threats facing mangrove habitats worldwide.

The Mangrove Breakthrough continues to serve as a rallying call for accelerated action and investment, calling on governments, the private sector, and non-state actors to protect and restore over 15 million hectares of mangroves globally by 2030, supported by $4 billion of sustainable finance. Developments and updates are to be provided as they arise.

For more information, please contact:

ignacebeguin@climatechampions.team

ENDS

Note for editor: 1) The list of national and subnational endorsers to the Mangrove Breakthrough: The governments of Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barranquilla, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Gambia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Quintana Roo, Rio de Janeiro, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Yucatán

2) For more information about the current state of the world’s mangroves see here.

3) For more information about the Global Mangrove Alliance national chapters see here.