In October 2018, a voluntary contribution from the Government of Sweden was granted to the ICRI Secretariat to support its work. The contribution of Sweden was used to continue implementing the ICRI plan of action 2016-2018 and to help develop the new one, which was adopted in December 2018 in Monaco.
Under this contribution the following activities were implemented:
Promotion of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and UN Environment Grants Programme 2017
This joint initiative between ICRI and the UN Environment Grant Programme aims to catalyze the development of innovative and replicable initiatives that enhance the protection and management of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
Innovative financing and legal mechanisms for reef restoration and emergency response in selected sites of the MAR Region
This project seeks to contribute to the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef by enabling innovative financing mechanisms, and recommending suitable legal and institutional instruments to facilitate access to immediate funds for reef restoration after hurricane damage. It will work across government, civil society and private sector to develop innovative insurance schemes for coral reef natural assets, thus potentially developing a sustainable financing stream for coral reef management and conservation in the region.
Managing mangroves for climate change regulation and other ecosystem services in Kenya
Building on a successful and award-winning project in Gazi Bay, Kenya (Mikoko pamoja), this project aims to tap into the climate change mitigation potential of mangrove ecosystems in order to leverage sustainable financing streams through the voluntary carbon market. The project will triple the size of existing efforts and build a project in a remote village in southern Kenya that produces certified emissions reductions and carbon credits through conservation and planting of mangroves. The credits will be ready to be sold to corporate buyers abroad, and this innovative approach will thus leverage sustainable financing for mangrove conservation with social benefits for local communities.
A seascape genomics approach to improve coral reefs conservation strategies against bleaching in New Caledonia
Conservation efforts to preserve coral reefs are increasingly depending on the adaptive capacity of corals in the face of climate change, an aspect rarely addressed in the past. This project aims at promoting a conservation strategy that accounts for the adaptive potential of corals against bleaching. It will develop a Seascape Genomics methodology to assess conservation priorities and apply it to the UNESCO world heritage reef system of New Caledonia.
Certification of Peer Trainers in Effective Management of Coral Reefs, Seagrass Beds, Mangroves, & Beaches in Marine Protected Areas of the Western Indian Ocean
The objective is to support sustainable science-based, adaptive management of MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean by certifying key MPA Managers and Stakeholders as trainers in marine & beach monitoring, data management/analysis, and science-based adaptive management principles.
Contribution to the production of the “Status and Trends of Coral Reefs of the Pacific 2018” and its promotion 
This report is the result of a regional collaborative effort addressing a serious information gap, for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), data from 129 islands, covering 19 countries or territories, was collected, representing 19,270 individual surveys (year dataset). It was launched by ICRI, at the joint Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 6th National Report Technical Support and Preparatory Meeting for the 14th Conference of the Parties (Pre-CoP) to the CBD regional meetings, convened at SPREP Headquarters, on September 27th 2018.
Contribution to the International Year of the Reef (IYOR 2018). At the 31st ICRI General Meeting the resolution to declare 2018 the 3rd IYOR was adopted. Until August 2018, the coordination was funded by the Government of France, the contribution from Sweden allowed for the sustaining of the coordination which included the animation of a network of 60 members (19 Governmental agencies, 6 International Governmental Organisations, and 35 Non-Governmental Organisations), maintaining the IYOR website, producing the IYOR e-newsletter and engaging the public via Twitter.
Contribution to the organization of an ICRI High-level side-event on “The Future of Coral Reefs in a Sustainable Blue Economy” during the 5th Our Ocean conference, Bali, October 2018. This event was an opportunity to discuss the urgent action and new financing required to save the world’s coral reefs. During the event, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Vulcan Inc. commit to investing each $250,000 for the development of a Global Fund for Coral Reefs focusing on coral reef conservation, restoration and adaptation to climate change.
Conservation Investment Blueprint: Public-Private Partnership for Marine Protected Areas (based on the Case Study of Blue finance in the Dominican Republic)
The objective of the Blueprint is to help facilitate replicable investments in Coral Reef Conservation based on the Public-Private Partnership initiatives developed or in development in several coral reef countries.
The organisation of a workshop on innovative funding
The one-day workshop was targeted towards conservation practitioners, professionals, planners and policy makers from governmental and intergovernmental agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia eager to understand and discuss finance tools and solutions for effective management of marine and coastal environments.
- Report of the workshop (PDF file)
Contribution to “Coral Reef Economy” report
The International Sustainability Unit and UN Environment commissioned an analysis to map the value, costs and benefits and financial flows of the coral reef-dependent economy, the final report presents the results and conclusions of this study and describes the methodologies, data sources and assumptions used to produce the results.
- Report of the workshop (PDF file)
- Executive Summary (PDF file)
Rapid assessment of the implementation of the work implanted by selected countries to achieve Aichi target 10
This report reviews experience and highlights lessons learned from the implementation of actions to address the CBD Aichi Target 10 “By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning.” It draws on published reports and assessments as well as consultation with countries and other relevant stakeholders.
- A review of the experiences of selected coral reef countries in addressing Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 report (PDF file)
- A review of the experiences of selected coral reef countries in addressing Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 annexes (PDF file)
Production of a discussion paper on the “Next steps for incorporating the ocean into nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
This paper is meant to stimulate thinking in relation to the topics to be discussed during preparatory workshops. These include actions to mitigate climate change, improve the resilience of coastal communities and livelihoods, increase the conservation of marine ecosystems and ensure adaptation in the face of climate change impacts.
- Next steps for incorporating the ocean into nationally determined contributions (NDCs) report (PDF file)
Contribution to the organization of the 33rd ICRI General Meeting. Through support from Sweden and Monaco, delegates from several countries and organisations were able to attend and participate in the meeting.
View the activities funded by the Swedish contribution in 2017.
