Recommendations from The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy You may not consider mangroves as part of the ocean, but the coastal, salt-tolerant, trees support a vibrant ecosystem that is highly connected to tropical and sub-tropical ocean regions worldwide. Seagrass and coral reef ecosystems depend on mangroves as a shelter for juvenile fish and to hold back sediment and nutrients that would otherwise smother the underwater systems. Without mangroves, the ocean would be a much emptier place! Mangrove’s vital connection to the ocean couldn’t be clearer when reading through the newest report from The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, a group of representatives from 14 countries around the world dedicated to protection and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources through global policy change. The report, titled “Ocean Solutions that Benefit People, Nature and the Economy,” addresses how the ocean and its ecosystems, including mangroves of course, are being under-utilized as a tool to help mitigate climate change, protect people, and source resources for livelihoods. The following quotes are from the executive and full report and present the panel’s view of mangroves’ strengths and how the coastal forests fit into the larger ocean agenda. Coastal habitats, such as mangroves, provide protection for hundreds of millions of people, nurture biodiversity, detoxify pollutants flowing off the land, and provide nursery areas for fisheries, increasing the supply of food and providing livelihoods. They are also a source of revenue. Mangroves and seaweed can provide food, fuel and fiber while mitigating climate change and boosting biodiversity. Mangroves reduce annual flooding globally by more than 39 percent per year for 18 million people, and reduce annual property damage by more than 16 percent, or $82 billion. Similarly, the value of coastal ecosystems in terms of nursery and habitat for fishes and other marine species, regulation of water flow and filtration, carbon sequestration, and contaminant storage and detoxification has also been calculated for coastal habitats, ranging from $100 to $10,000 an acre. Investments in a sustainable ocean economy are not just good for the ocean. They represent an excellent business proposition. Investing $2.8 trillion today in just four ocean-based solutions—offshore wind production, sustainable ocean-based food production, decarbonisation of international shipping, and conservation and restoration of mangroves—would yield a net benefit of $15.5 trillion by 2050, a benefit-cost ratio of more than 5. Figure ES.2 from the Oceans Solutions Report Key coastal habitats such as mangroves are being lost at an alarming rate: global mangrove cover has declined by around 25–35 percent (up to about 57,000 km2 from 1980 to 2000), largely due to land reclamation and conversion to aquaculture ponds and rice paddies. This loss has resulted in reductions in fisheries and coastal food production, and increasing threats to species with a fragile conservation status. These coastal habitats help protect communities against life-threatening storm surge during tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes. Mangroves, sea grasses and saltmarshes are labelled ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems because they actively sequester and store organic carbon from the environment, meaning their loss increases emissions Currently, [ocean-based] solutions are delivering significantly less than their full mitigation potential…Alarmingly, not only is the carbon sequestration and storage potential of coastal and marine ecosystems not fully being captured through efforts to protect and manage these ecosystems but the degradation and loss of these ecosystems—mangroves at 0.21 percent per year, saltmarshes at 1–2 percent per year and sea grass at 2–5 percent per year—is releasing significant emissions back into the atmosphere. Fig 1.4 from the Oceans Solutions Report The 2019 UN emission gap report states that the world is currently on course for 3.2°C global warming over pre-industrial levels—presenting a stark contrast to the 1.5°C limit now commonly recognized as critical for ocean health. Establishing a regenerative ocean economy, focused on restored and protected ‘blue sinks’ (e.g. mangroves, sea grass, saltmarshes) and zero- or low-carbon production of food, energy and transportation, is essential to that goal. In a 2050 sustainable ocean economy, the economic value of restoration of ocean and coastal natural capital would be recognized and turned into action, with carbon finance and coastal protection funds playing a major role in large-scale restoration projects. Restored and protected natural blue assets would then be able to deliver ecosystem services for coastal populations, especially in ensuring human safety by helping to mitigate the impacts of storms and sea level rise. For instance…a study has found that a ‘100-meter-wide belt of mangroves can reduce wave heights between 13 and 66%, and up to 100% where mangroves reach 500 meters or more in width’. Read the report here for more in depth solutions as well as a feature of Kenya’s innovative Mikoko Pamoja c arbon-credit mangrove project on pages 18-19.

The Food Planet Prize In 2022, the Global Mangrove Alliance was delighted to be the recipient of the $2 million Food Planet Prize . The Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize awards initiatives that solve the dilemma of feeding a growing world population while saving a planet in peril.  Following the receipt of the Prize, the Global Mangrove Alliance Steering Committee has been carefully considering where these funds will be best used to support food security and our goal to Halt Loss, Restore Half, and Double Protection of mangrove forests globally.  A selection committee was organized to determine a distribution process and they had this to say about their decision: The GMA’s National Chapters hold much promise in making our goal a reality. We saw the support of a Chapter-driven project centered on both food security and the advancement of the GMA’s goals as a unique opportunity. The Indonesia National Chapter’s proposal impressed us on all fronts, and we are very excited to see the project’s implementation.”  The Funded Initiative With the Food Planet Prize funds, the GMA-Indonesia National Chapter will implement its first collaborative project for mangrove conservation and improved food security for communities. Working across five districts in Indonesia, they will focus on four major components: mangrove rehabilitation, mangrove protection and management, integrated mangrove aquaculture and sustainable use, and policy advancement. By working across these components the Chapter expects to broadly improve coastal communities’ livelihoods, ecosystem services, and ultimately food security.  Apri Susanto Astra, Wetlands International and GMA-Indonesia National Chapter Lead, had this to say about the Chapter and utilizing these funds: “Working as a team gives us more strength to achieve something greater. The Global Mangrove Alliance Indonesia chapter, which was born on November 4th, 2022, has started doing that by collaborating in the implementation of GMA programs in Indonesia. With this support from the Food Planet Prize, we can continue our dreams for better protection and management of mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia, since mangroves also play a major role in food security, especially for communities in the coastal area”.  Participants of a Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration workshop in Indonesia. Led by the Mangrove Action Project and including members of the GMA-Indonesia National Chapter. To demonstrate success at scale, the Chapter has set targets for both mangrove forest health and sustainable livelihoods and food security:  For mangrove forests, the goal is to achieve a 20% increase in mangrove canopy cover across 185 ha of mangroves, a 40% increase in natural regeneration, rehabilitation of 170 ha of pond-integrated mangroves, and effective management of 27,000 ha across the five project sites.  For community livelihoods and resilience for food provisioning, the goal is to increase income from mangrove-related livelihoods by 20%, increase commercial fish catch by 20%, advance six livelihood enterprise chains, and achieve a first cohort of nearly 40 farmers who implement best practices for integrated mangrove aquaculture.  Indonesia has the largest swath of mangroves of any country in the world, yet those mangroves face a variety of human pressures. The country is therefore a well-suited priority for mangrove conservation and building up sustainable mangrove livelihoods. The Global Mangrove Alliance Steering Committee is thrilled that the Food Planet Prize will strengthen the GMA-Indonesia National Chapter, allow it to showcase the success of our collaborative approach, and demonstrate progress towards halting loss, restoring half, and doubling protection of mangroves.

With Global Mangrove Watch With the currently occurring UNFCCC COP27 and Ramsar COP14,  the Global Mangrove Alliance and Global Mangrove Watch teams have launched three policy briefs that detail how national policymakers can integrate mangrove ecosystems into climate and wetlands policy frameworks. These briefs lay out specific, actionable opportunities to apply the Global Mangrove Watch as a tool for target-setting, monitoring, and reporting on mangrove ecosystems. The Global Mangrove Watchis an online platform that provides remote sensing data and tools for global monitoring of mangroves, in scientific collaboration with Wetlands International, Aberystwyth University, soloEO, TNC, JAXA, NASA and a host of partners. Integrating Mangrove Ecosystems into NDCs with the Global Mangrove Watch , available  here This brief explores how the Global Mangrove Watch can support countries in the process of implementing, updating or revising their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement and move towards ratcheting up national and collective ambition on the potential of blue carbon ecosystems for climate action. Supporting the implementation of the Ramsar Convention through the Global Mangrove Watch , available  here . This brief details how the Global Mangrove Watch can be used to support Ramsar Contracting Parties, in particular those lacking their own national mangrove monitoring system, through data on their mangrove resources in support of national wetlands inventories, developing Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RISs), monitoring sites ecological character, mangrove management, and restoration, and reporting to Ramsar and other international agreements as part of National Reports. Integrating Mangrove Ecosystems into NBSAP’s with the Global Mangrove Watch , available  here This policy brief explains how Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity can use the Global Mangrove Watch to integrate mangrove commitments into their NBSAP’s revisions and national reports, collectively catalyzing ambition and action on mangroves and other coastal ecosystems. Please reach to Luz Gil ( luz.gil@tnc.org ) and Susanna Tol ( susanna.tol@wetlands.org ) with any questions.

Global Mangrove Alliance Policy Brief : Legal and policy frameworks from around the world and recommendations to support international goals on mangroves. Mangroves and other coastal ecosystems are gaining attention in the international agenda, including as part of the UNFCCC COP28 presidency priorities , where a coalition of parties and non-state actors are building momentum to direct increased action for mangroves in support of the Mangrove Breakthrough . As of 2023, 97 countries have included coastal and marine ecosystems, including mangroves, in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, and 61 countries have included conservation or restoration of blue carbon ecosystems as mitigation and/or adaptation measures. Mangroves are highly relevant to the implementation of multiple goals and targets across the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) (Targets 1, 2, 3, 8, for instance), and Parties are expected to update their National Biodiversity Strategy and Adaptation Plans to align with the GBF goals by COP16 in 2024. Globally, 305 Ramsar sites contain mangrove ecosystems, and Parties under the Ramsar Convention are to pursue policies and regional initiatives to conserve and restoral coastal wetlands, including mangroves. Countries can implement international policy frameworks synergistically by aligning national commitments and plans, such as NDCs, NBSAPs, and National Wetlands Inventories. This can accelerate the conservation and restoration of mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems. In fact, a growing number of countries are adopting laws and policies specifically aimed at the conservation or restoration of mangroves. As of 2023, at least 75 jurisdictions explicitly consider mangroves in their national laws. Among these, 64 have explicit mangrove cutting or clearing regulations, including at least 19 that ban all uses (with potential exceptions for traditional or subsistence use). In this policy brief , we bring some of these examples of national policies and frameworks from Global Mangrove Alliance partners to inform and inspire the international community. You will learn from the different policy approaches and strategies used in Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Seychelles, and the Western Indian Ocean Region to advance stronger frameworks supportive of mangroves. Belize’s National Mangrove Action Plan , to be completed in 2024, finds its foundation in land tenure analysis, which will help to identify mangrove areas that could be targeted for restoration within the Plan in an integrated way, highlighting nature values such as blue carbon and linking with Belize’s NDC targets . Costa Rica case study gives a snapshot of the country’s newly launched Blue Carbon Strategy , the first in the world, which will use economic incentives and markets to reverse the loss and degradation of blue carbon ecosystems and wetlands, promoting a model that “benefits communities who depend directly on the ecosystem services they provide” and supporting the implementation of Costa Rica’s updated NDC . Ecuador case study illustrates the experience of a Constitutional court case where the protected nature of mangrove ecosystems versus economic activities in the beach and bay areas were in conflict. It also highlights the effectiveness of the government-ancestral user agreements for the sustainable use and custody of the mangrove ecosystem (AUSCEM), which primary purpose is the protection of the mangrove forest in exchange of traditional, sustainable and preferential use of mangrove resources. Indonesia’s Bio-rights program showcases the success of small loan schemes to promote mangrove conservation and restoration through green-grey infrastructure while generating alternative livelihoods and the primordial role of the government to support implementation through program allocations and/or funding to community groups -with potential of scaling up as part of established government incentives . Mexico’s case study showcases its Monitoring System for Mangroves (SMMM) which by providing baseline and monitoring data has triggered government responses towards mangrove legal protection, through court orders and new legislation that establishes higher levels of protection for threatened mangrove ecosystems. Panama’s case study highlights GMA partners efforts under the Blue Natural Heritage Initiative including work on policies relevant to mangroves: legislation pieces that promote the “Reduce your Footprint” program for low carbon economy and social development and establish the basis of a national carbon market aligned with the country’s Low Carbon Economic and Social Development Strategy and NDCs, as well as two executive decrees under consultation that regulate the conservation and sustainable use of mangroves and that regulates blue carbon projects . In 2021, Parties of the Nairobi Convention of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region agreed to develop a WIO Regional Mangrove Vision and Regional Mangrove Action Plan by 2024 to create a framework for regional policy dialogues around mangroves to enhance mangrove-related policies and sustainable management in the Western Indian Ocean. Based on this and other case studies from around the world, this case study explores selected national-level legal and policy options for mangrove conservation, restoration and sustainable use: incentives and financial mechanisms such as blue carbon measures, Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) programs, fiscal incentives and subsidies, and product certification community management of mangrove areas, including tools for community management (such as conservation agreements and concessions) and the legal context for community management, particularly issues around rights, tenure, and legal pluralism specific national mangrove policies such as national mangrove management plans and strategies integrated planning laws and regulations which can incorporate consideration of mangroves. The brief ends with key considerations and recommendations for developing and implementing mangrove laws and policies. Further reading:  For more information on the legal and governance approaches and enabling conditions relating to mangroves Webinars on Policies for Mangroves (November 2023) Session 1: Policies for Mangroves: Indonesia, Costa Rica, Belize and Seychelles | The Global Mangrove Alliance – YouTube Session 2: Policies for Mangroves: Mexico, Panama, Ecuador and W. Indian Ocean | The Global Mangrove Alliance – YouTube Contacts IUCN Adriana Vidal , Senior Policy Advisor, Climate Change, Email:  Adriana.vidal@iucn.org

Mangrove restoration is not just planting one or two mangrove species in straight lines – it’s much more complex than that.  To demystify this, the  Mangrove Action Project  and Wetlands International undertook a Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) training for 28 participants in Kibiti, Rufiji Delta, Tanzania. All too frequently, restoration projects move straight into building a mangrove nursery and planting before understanding the issues related to the project site. These projects often fail. CBEMR supports a holistic, science-based approach that encourages practitioners to mitigate mangrove stressors and facilitate natural mangrove regeneration. This is achieved by working with the local communities to understand all social and technical challenges affecting the restoration site, including site hydrology, soil elevation relative to sea level,   pressures on the mangroves and why a site is not naturally regenerating. This  training was facilitated by Mangrove Capital Africa project which is led by Wetlands International and funded by  DOB Ecology.

The latest best-practice approaches. Ede-Wageningen, NL, 18 October, 2023: Answering the recent and rapidly growing interest in mangrove reforestation and afforestation the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Blue Carbon Initiative have launched the Best Practice Guidelines for Mangrove Restoration . The Guidelines aim to align governments, investors, and restoration practitioners around a shared understanding of how to effectively conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems in a science-based, fair, and equitable way.  Healthy mangroves are havens for biodiversity and are critical for climate action. They support the livelihoods and well-being of hundreds of millions of coastal inhabitants around the world, are critical for carbon storage, regulate water quality, and protect coasts. Yet over the last 50 years we have lost them at rates higher than any other forest. (2)(3) The mangrove restoration guidelines take a holistic approach, accounting for ecological, social and financial factors, which can make or break a restoration project. It also includes a module related to blue carbon projects to ensure sustainable finance towards mangrove restoration. Pieter van Eijk, Programme Head of Coasts and Deltas with Wetlands International, and co-author of the Guidelines said: ”We need to think before we plant and move away from mass monoculture mangrove planting towards inclusive ecological restoration approaches that involve local communities and build upon the latest scientific insights. Planting in many cases is not needed. Success happens when we create the right conditions for mangroves to grow back naturally, and only use planting to assist or enrich the natural regeneration process.” While there have been many successful restoration efforts, some regions still see failure rates of up to 80%. (4) This is primarily due to limited knowledge of best practices. Common issues include unrealistic goal setting, short project planning and stakeholder engagement time, and reliance on planting in unsuitable areas without also addressing hydrology, nutrient, and sedimentation requirements. Dr. Jennifer Howard, Vice President of the Blue Carbon Program at Conservation International, co-author and editor of the Guidelines said: “Restoring mangroves is a potentially transformative nature-based solution to mitigate climate change and increase coastal resiliency. However, scaling and investments in ambitious mangrove restoration projects has been slow due to perceived risk and low success rates. The good news is, effective mangrove restoration approaches that are science-based and provide fair and equitable benefits have been around for years, however this capacity and knowledge is not broadly available. We hope to change that.” Catherine Lovelock, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, said: “We have synthesized the work of the many committed scientists that contributed to creating this consolidated Guidelines. Thanks to the mangrove restoration science community for sharing their wisdom! Mangrove restoration scientists have been generous with the lessons they have learned from restoring mangroves. This document brings together their collective work in one place. Anyone who wants to restore mangroves will find something useful in the Guidelines.” Of the 1,100,000 hectares of mangroves that have been lost since 1996, around 818,300 ha of mangroves are considered to have high “restorable” potential, while other areas are considered less easy to restore and may be irretrievably lost to urbanization, erosion, or other causes. (4) Areas where mangroves have been removed are vulnerable to sea level rise, extreme weather events, erosion and flooding, which threaten homes and livelihoods. Mangroves also provide refuge for birds, bats, tigers, manatees and many other endangered species, and are breeding grounds for ecologically important reef fish and commercially important food fish. There is an urgent need to restore these ecosystems while we still can. Now more than ever before there is a large public and private interest in recovering these mangrove ecosystems and protecting existing ones. A rapidly growing ‘community of action’ made up of Governments, NGOs and businesses are joining the ‘Mangrove Breakthrough’ which aligns anyone interested in accelerating the action and investments needed for securing the future of mangroves worldwide. (5) The Guidelines underpin how to restore mangroves effectively and sustainably. The Best Practice Guidelines for Mangrove Restoration is a joint product developed by the Global Mangrove Alliance and the Blue Carbon Initiative, and has been led by the University of Queensland, Conservation International, Wetlands International, Blue Marine Foundation and the International Blue Carbon Institute, along with dozens of mangrove scientists and user groups across the world. Contacts Wetlands International Arin de Hoog, Senior Communications Officer, Email: arin.dehoog@wetlands.org , Tel: +31 646 1973 29 Susanna Tol, Senior Advocacy Officer, Email: susanna.tol@wetlands.org

Updating the Tanaloa Dialogue on the climate solution found in mangrove conservation and restoration When a good idea strikes, or an attempt at something new proves successful, human instinct is to spread the word. Let's do that for mangroves and climate. During a recent visit to the community of Bajo Negro in Ecuador, a place tucked in between mangroves and shrimp farms, I realized quite vividly that sharing stories with visitors is a pathway for locals to share their knowledge with the world. Now, to be transparent, we went there looking for stories to share with the world. But while the writer I traveled with sat and spoke to several generations of fishermen, I went for a walk around town. At the small medical clinic, the school yard, and in the village court yard, people were eager to share the relative mundanities of everyday life. School yard, Bajo Negro, Ecuador. © WWF-US / Mike Crispino After applauding the athletic skills of students in physical education class, I walked away feeling compelled to share these stories. Not as part of some grand campaign, just in my everyday life and interactions with colleagues, family and friends. And it reminded me that society is able to overcome its greatest challenges through dialogue, no matter how news gets from point “a” to point “b.” Last year during the Climate Change Conference in Bonn , leaders launched the Talanoa Dialogue so that every person with an idea can contribute to the Paris Agreement process by sharing stories that foster well-informed decision-making. As another Climate Change Conference takes the stage, this time in Katowice, Poland, the Global Mangrove Alliance is contributing to the Talanoa Dialogue with five reasons why mangrove conservation and restoration is part of the climate solution. ONE Mangroves are an important sink and natural tool for climate mitigation. Many countries can demonstrate more ambitious efforts to address climate change by strengthening their NDCs with more information on mangrove restoration activities and related detailed mitigation targets in 2020. TWO Mangrove forests provide critical ecosystem services, such as coastal protection and food security. Enhancing ambition can also include strengthening the adaptation section of an NDC utilizing ecosystem-based adaptation in policies and plans. THREE Mangrove restoration is a win-win investment, providing mitigation and adaptation solutions to climate change while also supporting the implementation of other international pledges and agreements for the SDG Agenda 2030. FOUR There is an urgent need for coordinated partnerships that ensure good science, sound environmental policies and practices, and adequate funding in place for the enhancement, restoration and protection of natural climate solutions. FIVE “Natural climate solutions” can play a key role in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, and is a largely untapped area of mitigation potential in current NDCs. Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. © WWF-US / Mike Crispino Governments around the world already recognize the value of mangroves in one form or another. In Ecuador, when clearing mangroves threatened biodiversity and habitats, the government offered concessions to locals, including people living in Bajo Negro—they take care of the mangroves and get to fish for species like crab. Now, with scientists   once again calling for all hands on deck to limit warming, governments have an opportunity to do better for their people and keep climate commitments by integrating mangroves into their toolbox of climate change solutions.

Nature-based solutions to climate change, like mangroves, drive conversations at the 24th COP Mangroves are tightly linked to climate change, as both a tool for mitigation and an at-risk ecosystem. At the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December, mangroves were a part of the larger conversation about nature-based climate solutions.   The Global Mangrove Alliance hosted a mangrove-focused side event in coordination with the Save Our Mangroves Now!   initiative, led by WWF-Germany.  Representatives from GMA organizations including CI, IUCN, RARE, TNC, Wetlands International, and WWF highlighted the ways in which mangrove restoration and conservation can help countries demonstrate more ambitious efforts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, as well as strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions and other policy commitments. The event kicked off with a Talanoa Dialogue -inspired mangrove storytelling session, during which government representatives from Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea all spoke compellingly about what mangrove ecosystems mean for climate mitigation and adaptation in their countries. A recording of the event can be found here . Julika Tribukait (WWF-Germany) shares guidance for mangrove investment and legal frameworks for mangrove conservation, produced by Save our Mangroves Now! Mangroves were also highlighted by the Sustainable Development Goals Communities of Ocean Action.  Our Ocean as a Climate Solution dove into the linkages between climate and the ocean. Ali Raza Rizvi of IUCN represented the Mangroves Community of Ocean Action and shared some of the mangrove Voluntary Commitments (VC) that NGOs and governments have made. “60% of these commitments directly contribute towards climate action” Rizvi stated. Rizvi encouraged greater government engagement in mangrove conservation through VCs — NGOs and civil societies currently lead on the number of commitments pledged. “At the end of the day the mandate for mangrove restoration is with the states…all these pledges may not be realized unless those states have the ownership and they move forward” The Global Mangrove Alliance and our partners look forward to building mangrove conservation action from these valuable discussions in Poland.

Reflecting on progress and looking to the future. Mangrove forests have been a bright spot in a tumultuous year. More than ever before, mangroves have been recognized as incredible facilitators of health and prosperity for people, climate, and wildlife around the world. From sharing the latest science on mangrove coverage globally, to winning incredible awards, to launching the biggest and most ambitious plan to unite and finance for mangrove conservation ever, we know more than ever before and the Global Mangrove Alliance is doing more than ever before to halt loss, restore half, and double protection of these vital ecosystems. Thank you to everyone involved in our Alliance and everyone who has been supporting us along the way. We look forward to what’s to come in 2023! Here are our biggest mangrove successes in 2022: The Mangrove Breakthrough was announced in partnership with the UNFCCC Climate Champions at the UN Climate Conference (COP27) in November. This Breakthrough seeks to unify mangrove ambition globally by bringing together signatories around the goals of the Global Mangrove Alliance and raising $4 billion to secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030. The State of the Worlds Mangroves 2022 used the latest update from the Global Mangrove Watch to report that mangrove loss is slowing down, opening opportunity to focus on restoring lost mangrove forest and expanding and improving protection of what remains. Our Global Mangrove Alliance National Chapters are launching and uniting mangrove work at the national and local levels in Mexico , Belize, the Philippines, Colombia, and Ecuador, with more on the way. The Global Mangrove Alliance won the $2 million 2022 Food Planet Prize which will go towards supporting our vision and goals related to the livelihoods and food sources of mangrove-adjacent coastal communities. Our members and partners have kept pushing forward on mangrove protection and restoration around the world as well, as highlighted six times a year in our newsletters and on our social media channels and website. We can’t wait to share more about our upcoming tools and resources, including the release of our Mangrove Restoration Tracker Tool, and sharing outcomes of conferences and events such as the Mangroves, Macrobenthos, and Management (MMM6) conference in Cartagena, Colombia in July 2023. Join us as we enter the new year by signing up for our newsletter through the form at the bottom of this page and following us on our social media channels through the icons in our navigation bar above. © Emma Barnes / WWF-US

The Global Mangrove Alliance is delighted to be the recipient of one of two $2 million 2022 Food Planet Prizes. This Prize will further work towards our Alliance goal to Halt Loss, Restore Half, and Double Protection of mangroves globally by 2030 and help support on the ground work linked to food security through our National Chapters initiative. The Food Planet Prize awards initiatives that solve the dilemma of feeding a growing world population while saving a planet in peril. Each year, two winners receive $2 million each to rapidly scale up their initiatives. The Food Planet Prize enlisted ten jurors on four continents to ensure the diversity of views needed to evaluate a broad range of initiatives. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Magnus Nilsson, Director-General of the Food Planet Prize co-chaired the Jury . Director, Oceans at World Wildlife Fund, and Global Mangrove Alliance Steering Committee MemberKaren Douthwaite, writes on the Prize: “Conserving and restoring mangroves can not only improve food security for the 4.1 million fishers who depend on healthy mangroves for a critical source of jobs and protein, but also reduce poverty and boost economic resilience by increasing access to sustainable livelihoods. And when securely managed with equitable access, mangrove ecosystems provide coastal protection, support biodiversity, and are highly effective carbon sinks that can benefit people and our planet well into the future. We are thrilled that this Prize will support the livelihoods and food sources of coastal communities as the GMA works towards our 2030 goal.” Representatives of some of the Global Mangrove Alliance’s steering committee organizations, including Conservation International, WWF, and IUCN, receive the Food Planet Prize from the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Karin Oloffsdotter. © Joy Asico / Food Planet Prize More information on this prize along with a press kit for media is available from the Food Planet Prize here . MANGROVES AND FOOD SECURITY Collecting resources from mangrove ecosystems has been done for thousands of years. Communities depend on the trees and surrounding marine seascape for fish, shrimp, shellfish, honey, cooking fuel and more, and can continue to do so with sustainable practices in place. However, as industrialization and large-scale food production has grown, large swaths of mangrove forests have been cut down, to the detriment of people and biodiversity. The latest mangrove loss data in the Global Mangrove Watch estimates a net loss of 5,245km2 since 1996. Mangrove deforestation has resulted in a steep decline in mangrove crabs and fish, hurting communities’ ability to sustain themselves and their families. With support from our GMA member organizations, communities around the world are taking up mangrove conservation leadership, replanting mangroves, and ensuring that resource harvesting is sustainable. As a result, crabs and fish are returning and mangrove beekeeping and other alternative livelihood programs have arisen in some communities, furthering the benefits community members can receive from the coastal ecosystems. Read more about this work in the Global Mangrove Alliance’s latest report, The State of the Worlds Mangrove’s 2022. Left: Pilar Jacobo, WWF and Yves Paiz, The Nature Conservancy in Mexico’s Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve. In Mexico’s Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve, Global Mangrove Alliance members, World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy, work with local partners on mangrove conservation and sustainable livelihoods and have recently launched t he Mexico National Chapter of the Global Mangrove Alliance. As part of the application process, the Food Planet Prize produced a story on the work in the Biosphere Reserve and on the Global Mangrove Alliance as a whole.

UNFCCC COP27 and Ramsar COP14. rom November 6th to November 18th, world leaders will be watching and attending two major conference of parties (COPs) under the United Nations; the 27th UN Climate Change Conference and the 14th Convention on Wetlands “Ramsar” Conference. Mangroves, and the actions that decision-makers need to take to protect and manage the coastal trees and ecosystems, will be highlighted throughout the conferences by members and partners of the Global Mangrove Alliance. These events are listed below and more information on outcomes and future work will be shared at a later date. Global Mangroves into 2030/2050 – Ramsar COP14 Time: Monday 7 November 2022, 12:15-13:15 (UTC +1, CET) Lead organization: Mangrove Foundation (MCF), China Partner organizations: National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), P.R.C.,United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Union for Conservation ofNature (IUCN), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Wetlands International (WI), SEEConservation, Vanke Foundation. Description:  This side event will review the progress and challenges on global mangrove conservation, promote consensus among stakeholders in protecting mangrove and blue carbon, and mobilize science-based innovation and synchronized actions in the next decade, under the vision 2050 on biodiversity. It also calls for all parties to support development of international mangrove protection and collaboration mechanism, as well as facilitate the establishment of International Mangrove Center. Blue Carbon in Blue Economy Development and Achievement of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target – UN Climate COP27 Time: Tuesday 8 November 2022, 10:00 – 11:30 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Indonesia Pavilion Lead Organization: Conservation International Description: Indonesia is actively in efforts to achieve NDC targets with the establishment of Presidential Regulation number 98/2021 concerning the Implementation of Carbon Economic Values for Achieving Nationally Determined Contribution Targets and greenhouse gas emissions reduction in National Development. This event is organized for information exchange from various parties in preparation for Blue Carbon in the implementation of the Presidential Regulation on Carbon Economic Values specifically for the marine sector or Blue Carbon. Global Leadership on Blue Carbon: Keys to Success – UN Climate COP27 Time: Tuesday 8 November 2022, 11:00 – 12:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Nature Pavilion Lead Organization: Conservation International Description:  A joint event with the Blue Carbon Initiative (CI, IUCN and IOC-UNESCO) and the International Partnership for Blue Carbon (IPBC) highlighting blue carbon leadership and initiatives globally and sharing best practices that countries interested in engaging in blue carbon projects may wish to follow. Building Resilience in Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Coastal Communities – UN Climate COP27 Time: Tuesday 8 November 2022, 13:00 – 13:55 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion Lead Organization: The Commonwealth Blue Charter’s Ocean and Climate Change Action Group Description: The Commonwealth Blue Charter’s Ocean and Climate Change Action Group (OCCAG), championed by Fiji, and the Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods Action Group (MELAG), championed by Sri Lanka, invite you to a panel discussion on approaches to mangrove restoration, local community engagement and innovative financing. This event will provide an overview of the science and policy adopted by different nations for better mangrove management, and will showcase case studies from across the Commonwealth. Panelists will also discuss opportunities for Commonwealth countries to build the resilience of mangrove ecosystems. Speakers: Rizvi Hassen Ocean Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka | Izhaar Ali Climate Change & Int Cooperation Division, Ministry of Economy, Fiji | Elizabeth Francis Lead Project Developer, Fair Carbon | Dan Crockett Development Director, Blue Marine Foundation | Josheena Naggea Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford Centre for Ocean Solution | Heidi Prislan (moderator) Adviser, Commonwealth Blue Charter. Coastal Wetlands in National and Subnational Climate Strategies: Nature-Based Solutions in Practice – UN Climate COP27 Time: Thursday 10 November, 2022, 9:00 – 10:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Nature Pavilion Lead Organization : Pew Charitable Trusts Description: Moderated panel sharing key learnings from countries and US states at various stages of implementing current, and developing future, targets for their coastal “blue carbon” habitats – mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh – as nature-based solutions within national and subnational climate strategies. Accelerating Ocean-based Climate Action for a Sustainable Future – UN Climate COP27 Time: Tuesday 10 November 2022, 10:00 – 11:30 (UTC +2, EET) Location: French Pavilion Lead Organization: Conservation International Description:  This event will feature a dynamic roundtable exploring the topic “from ‘problem’ to ‘solution’, showcasing actionable ocean-based initiatives for a resilient and net-zero future” Launch of the Mangrove Breakthrough – UN Climate COP27 Time: Thursday 10 November, 2022, 10:30 – 11:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Nature Pavilion: Media Zone Lead Organization: UN High-Level Climate Champions / Global Mangrove Alliance Description: This event will launch the Mangrove Breakthrough , a joint initiative of the High-Level Climate Champions and the Global Mangrove Alliance with the aim to align the work of Parties and non-state actors on mangrove action under shared targets and ambition, and to drive and unlock public, philanthropic, and private finance for the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems. The Future of Blue Carbon Roundtable at the Ocean X Climate Summit – UN Climate COP27 Time:   Friday 11 November 2022, 16:30 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Park Regency Hotel, Grand Ballroom Lead Organization: Fair Carbon Description: Blue Carbon is a key topic at this COP. This discussion will pull together the main issues and provide clarity on what needs to be done to unlock the potential of Blue Carbon. Speakers: Moderator – John Vermilye, Fair Carbon | Dr. Whitney Johnston, Director of Ocean Sustainability, Salesforce | Josheena Naggea, André Hoffmann Ocean Innovation Fellow, World Economic Forum, Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions | Nicholas Hardman‑Mountford, Adviser and Head, Ocean Governance and Natural Resource Management, The Commonwealth Delivering on climate pledges – What does high-quality corporate action look like? High Quality Blue Carbon Principles Launch  – UN Climate COP27 Time:   Saturday 12 November 2022, 10:00-11:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: We Mean Business Pavilion Lead Organization: Conservation International Description:  Corporate pledges for climate and nature and the voluntary carbon market are both critical tools that, when made and used well, can play an important role in corporate climate action, positively supporting our world’s collective journey to a net zero, nature positive future. To help private sector leaders on this journey, specifically in the fast-emerging space of blue carbon, this session will feature the launch of the High-Quality Blue Carbon Principles and Guidance. Areas for discussion will include trends and guidance in the pursuit of a high-quality carbon market and pragmatic best practices towards the achievement of high integrity corporate action at large. How Climate Change Mobilization Promotes Adaptation & Resilience in Latin America & the Caribbean’s Private Sector  – UN Climate COP27 Time:   Saturday 12 November 2022, 15:00-16:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: MDB Joint Pavilion Lead Organization: Conservation International Description:  This panel will analyze how an early response and preventive adaptation solutions can be more effective and less costly than a late reaction. Speakers will present examples where adaptation measures to climate change make it possible to curtail negative effects, reduce vulnerabilities and increase the resilience of human and natural systems to climate change. In this direction, IDB Invest will reinforce its work in promoting the incorporation of adaptation and resilience measures for its clients, prioritizing nature-based solutions. “Doing it Better: Unpacking evidence from the field and lessons learned from NbS for Adaptation”   – UN Climate COP27 Time:   Monday 14 November 2022, 14:00-15:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Capacity Building Hub Description:  The intent of this panel session is to demonstrate concrete evidence and results from completed and in-progress projects, including lessons learned, return on investment, and impact of projects on the ground – and how this can be taken forward into future projects as adaptation efforts are scaled up around the world. Launch of the International Blue Carbon Institute, and Reception – UN Climate COP27 Time:   Monday 14 November 2022, 16:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Singapore Pavilion, Blue Zone Description:  The International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) will accelerate and scale blue carbon implementation in Asia and beyond through science, training, and development of essential technical capacity, methodologies, and tools. Based in Singapore, the goals of the IBCI are to: Build multi-disciplinary capacity in Asia and beyond, to research, design, and implement blue carbon related programs, policy, and projects, provide a globally recognized hub facilitating the exchange of blue carbon expertise, knowledge, and learning, and provide regional and international leadership in the translation of cutting-edge science into tools and methodologies for broad application of blue carbon for climate mitigation and adaptation. Partnerships to accelerate action to protect blue carbon ecosystems for mitigation and adaptation – UN Climate COP27 Time: Tuesday 15 November 2022, 13:15 – 14:45 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Thutmose Room, Blue Zone Lead Organization: IUCN, International Partnership for Blue Carbon (IPBC), Australia, and the Pew Charitable Trusts Description: The side event aims at demonstrating how partnerships across different sectors are key to driving credible action for the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses, tidal marshes), contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, ocean economies and livelihoods of coastal communities. IUCN will share its experience working in the Blue Carbon space for the last 14 years, and most recently managing the Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund (BCAF). The BCAF was established by Australia and IUCN as a dedicated funding scheme with a vision to help increase coastal blue carbon ecosystems conservation and restoration for the benefits to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity and livelihoods of coastal communities. Blue Carbon Implementation Lab – Official Ocean Action Day Event – UN Climate COP27 Time: Wednesday 16 November 2022, 15:00-16:30 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Blue Zone, Action Room Description: Over the last decade, Blue Carbon ecosystems have been recognized for their value for climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as their critical value for biodiversity and communities. Climate policy and finance is now beginning to support development and implementation of conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems. This Lab will highlight these successes and identify the key emerging opportunities for scaling. Engineering the vision for climate resilient transport – UN Climate COP27 Time: Wednesday 16 November 2022, 10:30-12:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location: UNFCCC Action Zone Description:  The focus of this event will be progress on and implementation of the adaptation and resilience breakthrough: ‘Transport infrastructure be resilient to climate hazards through adoption of new technology, design and materials.’ The session will bring together transport experts from the global engineering community, including from the private sector, professional associations, academia and key transport industry bodies, alongside representatives from the policymaker and the investor communities. Nature-based Solutions session at Resilience Hub – From gray to green: A lifecycle approach to integrating Nature based Solutions   – UN Climate COP27 Time: Wednesday 16 November 2022, 17:00-18:00 (UTC +2, EET) Location:  Resilience Hub Description:  Making a strong case for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) requires consideration of their whole lifecycle, from concept planning to design and implementation through to operations and maintenance. This includes defining the physical scope of the project, making the case for investment, identifying who owns and maintains the NbS and then measuring how the benefits, costs and impacts of NbS are generated and perceived across the project. This session will showcase real world examples of planning, delivery and management of NbS, with a focus on building the business case, implementing hybrid solutions and their long-term operation and maintenance. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and forest restoration for increased resilience – UN Climate COP27 Time: Thursday 17 November 2022, 15:00-16:30 (UTC +2, EET) Location: Thebes Room, Blue Zone Lead Organization: Welthungerhilfe & OroVerde Tropical Forest Foundation Description: Panelists will highlight how the project’s EbA-approach helps to integrate ecosystem conservation, restoration and adaptation to climate change while assuring food security in rural communities, building on multi-actor-partnerships (MAP) at local, regional and national level as a governance model, aiming at creating local ownership about Climate Change adaptation strategies and at replication and up-scaling of EbA measures throughout and beyond the project regions. Further, the threat of climate change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning will be presented with examples from Hispaniola, along with recommendations for much needed mitigation and adaptation strategies.

9 Ways Mangrove Ecosystems Sustain Communities Mangroves are often touted for their ability to mitigate storm surges and protect communities from hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones, which of course provide value in saving lives and reducing infrastructure damage.  Yet on the flipside of their intrinsic value, these forests also provide benefits and income outside of extreme weather events that don’t require deforestation (mangroves are often used as building materials or fuel). Here are 9 other uses of mangroves that allow communities and coastal ecosystems to thrive. © Green Renaissance / WWF-US 1 Fishing sustainably is a major, and valuable, component to community livelihoods. Fish provide food, tourism opportunities, and income via sales to markets. Because mangrove trees grow around the world, there is a huge diversity of fish species that live among the roots including tilapia, grouper, catfish, mullet, and snappers (especially the aptly named “mangrove snapper”.)   2 While mangroves are often thought of as nurseries for fish, they are also home to a variety of insects, like bees! In 2014, the village of Nai Nang in the Krabi Province of Thailand partnered with Mangrove Action Project, who taught the community how to set up and run a sustainable mangrove honeybee production. The project now involves over 300 beehives that can produce up to 270 liters of raw honey. The produced honey is sold to other communities and visitors and serves as a job source for many local women. Like how the flavor of wine is very dependent on the variety of grape, honey flavor is very dependent on the flower source of pollen. Mangrove honey is said to have a salty-sweet flavor, influenced by mangroves’ saltwater environment 3 Mangrove beekeeping also supports sustainable beauty and skincare products. The huge marketing success seen with other bee-based beauty brands is a testament to the quality and range of products that can be generated from beekeeping. Balms, lotions, soaps, shampoos and conditioners are all skincare products that can utilize honey–which is anti-bacterial, moisturizing, and soothing, and beeswax–which is anti-inflammatory, thickens skincare products, and melts at body temperature. Choosing bee products is great for your skin and the environment. 4 Similar to fish, crustaceans and mollusks are a valuable commodity of mangroves. A different set of skills is needed to finesse a shy mangrove crab or clam out of the thick mud beneath mangrove roots, but the shellfish are highly valued for restaurant markets and as a source of food. 5 A more subtle benefit of mangrove forests is the trees’ contribution to improved water quality. Mangrove root systems hold down sediment–preventing soil from washing out and smothering coral polyps and nearby seagrasses, absorb agricultural fertilizers–like nitrogen and phosphorous that can cause algal blooms and massive fish die-offs, and potentially pull heavy metals like copper and arsenic out of the water–reducing toxicity to humans and the rest of the ecosystem. Coral reefs (and therefore fishers and tourists) are one of the biggest benefactors of water quality improvements because they are highly dependent on mangroves to shelter young fish before reaching maturity, moving out to open water, and becoming a vibrant part of reefs. 6 Not surprisingly, tourism can be a major plus of a well-protected and maintained mangrove forest. Aside from visiting coral reefs, fishing, and purchasing honey products, mangrove forests can be great places to find unique or endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles. Because mangroves thrive along warm saltwater coasts, the unique setting produces extraordinary wildlife and elevated biodiversity. Kayaking through mangroves at different times of day can provide unique experiences, such as birdwatching (daylight) and firefly shows (evening). © Mangrove Action Project 7 Although aquaculture has too often come at the expense of mangrove forests, shrimp farming was not always so destructive. Traditionally, communities in Southeast Asia established shrimp corrals among mangrove trees, allowing the trees to thrive alongside farms. Encouraging this mutualistic farming style is beneficial to both ecosystems and people, and farms can expand to include seaweed, cockles, fish, oysters, and mussels that are sold to markets or consumed. 8 If harvested sustainably, collecting parts of mangrove trees for medicine could prove very useful. Traditionally, tropical coastal communities have looked to mangroves for aid when struck with disease or infection, and scientists have been researching the potential for mangrove’s medicinal properties in laboratory studies. Roots, stems, leaves, and fruits all could bear benefits, such as protection against common pathogenic bacteria (causing a range of problems, like food poisoning, pneumonia, cholera, staph infections and more), use as larvicide against disease-carrying mosquitos, antifungal and antiviral properties, and possibly more. More research and confirmation of traditional knowledge is needed before mangroves are used regularly as medicine, but it is a promising possibility. 9 Governments are increasingly including coastal ecosystems, like mangroves, in climate commitments because of how well these trees capture and store carbon. There is a market for supporting this approach, called carbon crediting, that encourages countries to back each other in their commitments. The credit system allows countries that are heavy carbon emitters to pay countries that are actively working to lower or eliminate carbon emissions. The money earned can then be used towards community initiatives, like clean water pumps and children’s education, lifting the community up as it helps to keep them, and the whole world, safe from the residual impacts of climate change. Kenya’s Mikoko pamoja project is an excellent example of using mangroves towards carbon credits for a coastal community. © Mikoko Pamoja Project © Jürgen Freund / WWF