Global Fund for Coral Reefs: Accelerating Coral Reef Resilience Action

As an implementation vehicle for the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), Life Below Water, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) coalition is enhancing the resilience of coastal reef ecosystems, communities, and economies by unlocking new public and private resources that accelerate sustainable businesses and financial solutions. By deploying catalytic grants and investments, the GFCR's resilience-focused portfolio comprises market-based solutions addressing drivers of ecosystem degradation across spanning more than 20 developing states. Supported solutions include sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and agriculture, ecotourism, coral reef insurance, wastewater treatment and recycling, and initiatives enabling sustainable finance for marine protected areas (MPAs). With capitalisation underway, by 2030, GFCR aims to support over 400 reef-positive businesses and sustainable financial mechanisms; the resilience of over 20 million community members and 3 million hectares of coral reefs (representing 25% of the Coral Reef Breakthrough target and 12.5% of remaining coral reefs on Earth); and sustainable financing flows for 7.5 million hectares of MPAs. GFCR’s investments will aim to leverage $2-3 billion USD in public and private finance for the benefit of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The GFCR Coalition is a public-private partnership driven by more than 60 member states, UN agencies, financial institutions, philanthropies, impact investors, and conservation organisations. The GFCR Coalition includes coral nations, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Pegasus Capital Advisors, the Green Climate Fund, Builders Initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Prince Albert II Monaco Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, the Governments of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Germany, Canada, and the United States, ICONIQ Impact Ocean Co-Lab, Minderoo Foundation, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), and more than 20 additional strategic and implementing partners.