TopStoryHistoryGoalsGMATheory of ChangeImpactTeamAdvisoryValues
For the future

Nature led. Community driven.

The Mangrove Breakthrough, co-designed with the Global Mangrove Alliance, is a global movement and guiding force for systemic change—redefining how mangroves are valued, financed, and embedded into climate and economic agendas.
Vision
To set a global standard for how nature is valued, financed, and protected—with mangroves acting as a catalyst for climate and community resilience worldwide.
Mission
Protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030 by mobilizing $4B in capital, shifting policy, building a new model of multi-sector collaboration, and putting communities on the frontlines first.
how
We bring together communities, governments, investors, and global leaders to position mangroves as essential to a livable future. We’re turning pledges into progress and ambition into action.
Our Story

Where it
all began.

The Mangrove Breakthrough was established at COP27 as part of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, building on the Breakthrough Agenda and the work of the Global Mangrove Alliance. The Breakthrough aims to provide a global compass for the international community, driving concerted action towards its shared goals.
The Mangrove Breakthrough is a key driver of global climate and biodiversity targets. It directly supports the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s conservation and restoration goals, the 30x30 targets, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands resolutions, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
As part of the High-Level Climate Champions’ Ocean Breakthroughs, it advances sector-specific goals for integrated ocean-climate action—positioning mangroves as a critical solution for both planetary and community resilience.
Started to emerge as the Climate Champions team develop the 2030 Breakthrough Agenda
Launch at COP 27 in Egypt with Global Mangrove Alliance and Climate Champions
Big Splash at the COP28, with the launch of the Financial Roadmap, announcement of Mangrove Alliance for Climate joining and a major event, part of the official COP28 programme
May
First Council Meeting in London
September
Mangrove Breakthrough Secretariat/Hub is created hosted at Ambition Loop
May
First Council Meeting in London
Financial architecture launch and deployment of actions at the regional and national level
Hover the dates to learn more about our history
Mangrove Breakthrough History
2021
2022
2023
2024
Sep. 2024
2025
Our goals

The $4 billion target is how we unlock the Mangrove Breakthrough’s four goals. It’s our pathway to securing 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030 through coordinated, cross-sector action.

Goal #1
Halt loss
Reduce net mangrove losses driven by humans to 0
Goal #2
Restore half
Restore mangroves to cover at least half of all recent loss
Goal #3
Double protection
Ensure long-term protection for 80% of remaining mangroves
Goal #4
Sustainable finance
Drive sustainable finance to existing mangrove extent
How we work

We work with a series of stakeholders that enable us to deliver our five action pathways

Without this level of support from our stakeholders, this work would not be possible.
Governments
Financial Institutions
NGOs & CSOs
Corporations
Research & Science
Philanthropies
Advisory Council
Mangrove Breakthrough Hub
A centralized team accelerating collaboration, aligning stakeholders, and setting the enabling conditions for finance to flow where it matters most.
Taskforces
  1. Policy
  2. Finance
  3. Pipeline
  4. Outreach & Comms
  5. Community
Extended Team
Action Pathways

Our taskforce teams focus on five action pathways that enable us to deliver on our mission.


To learn more, click into each one of our pathways.
01. Finance – Unlocking Capital for Scaled Impact
02. Community – Centering Local Leadership for Lasting Change
03. Policy – Shaping Global and National Frameworks
04. Pipeline – Scaling Mangrove Projects for Investment
05. Outreach – Shifting the Global Narrative
Our Impact

Achieving the
Mangrove Breakthrough goals is estimated to have large-scale impact.

Sequester over 43.5 million tons of CO2 into mangrove biomass.
Safeguard an additional 189 million tons of CO2 in the soil.
Restore half of recently lost mangroves with the potential to provide habitat for over 25 billion juveniles across 37 commercial marine species each year.
Protect coastlines against storms and reduce flood risk for over 15 million people and over $65 billion worth of property annually – securing lives, infrastructure, and economic security.
About us

Meet the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub team

To implement this vision, we’ve established the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub—a centralized force accelerating collaboration, aligning stakeholders, and setting the enabling conditions for finance to flow where it matters most.
Ignace Beguin Billecocq is the Executive Director of the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub, hosted by Ambition Loop. He previously led major global coalitions for the UN Global Compact and UN Climate Champions, including the Ocean Breakthrough and Ocean Stewardship Coalition. Ignace holds a Master’s in International Law from the University of Aix-Marseille.
Ignace Beguin Billecocq
Executive Director
Carlos is the former Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and a World Economic Forum Champion for Nature. He led Colombia’s 30x30 conservation efforts and helped set ambitious climate targets, including a 51% emissions reduction by 2030. Carlos continues to champion nature-positive policy at the highest levels.
Carlos Eduardo Correa Escaf
Global Ambassador
Victoria Paz is a Chilean economist and sustainable finance expert with 20+ years of experience across public and private sectors. She led innovations like Chile’s first gender bond and sustainability-linked programs at Banco Estado and CORFO. She holds an MPA from Columbia University and multiple graduate degrees in finance and economics.
Victoria Paz
Finance Lead
Sam Goodman brings two decades of experience in climate communications and natural resource policy across Latin America and the U.S. He oversees content and stakeholder engagement for the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub and has worked with institutions like Climate Policy Initiative and Conservation International. Sam holds dual master’s degrees from American University and the UN University for Peace.
Sam Goodman
Communications Director
Benjamin Navarro Diaz is a Chilean Forestry Engineer specialized in sustainability and territory management. He supports cross-cultural partnerships and operations for the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub, driven by a strong personal and professional connection to nature. Benjamin is an avid trekker and photographer, and passionate advocate for climate action.
Benjamin Navarro Diaz
Partnerships and Operations Manager
Luz Gil leads government engagement for the Mangrove Breakthrough, helping translate endorsements into policy impact. Her previous roles include Climate Advisor at Mexico’s UN Mission and Deputy Director in the President’s office. Luz holds an MPA in Energy & Environment from Columbia University.
Luz Gil
Policy Lead
Cassia Moraes is the founder of Youth Climate Leaders and Brazil Lead for the Mangrove Breakthrough via Ambition Loop. She has 15+ years of experience in climate policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with roles at Climate KIC and the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change. Cassia holds an MPA from Columbia University.
Cassia Moraes
Brazil Lead
Nigel Topping is the co-founder of Ambition Loop and former UN Climate Champion for COP26, where he launched Race to Zero and the Breakthrough Agenda. He advises governments and institutions including the UK Infrastructure Bank and Climate Change Committee. Nigel was awarded a CMG and is Honorary Professor at Exeter University.
Nigel Topping, CMG
Co-Founder, Ambition Loop
Ignace Beguin Billecocq is the Executive Director of the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub, hosted by Ambition Loop. He previously led major global coalitions for the UN Global Compact and UN Climate Champions, including the Ocean Breakthrough and Ocean Stewardship Coalition. Ignace holds a Master’s in International Law from the University of Aix-Marseille.
Ignace Beguin Billecocq
Executive Director
Carlos is the former Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and a World Economic Forum Champion for Nature. He led Colombia’s 30x30 conservation efforts and helped set ambitious climate targets, including a 51% emissions reduction by 2030. Carlos continues to champion nature-positive policy at the highest levels.
Carlos Eduardo Correa Escaf
Global Ambassador
Victoria Paz is a Chilean economist and sustainable finance expert with 20+ years of experience across public and private sectors. She led innovations like Chile’s first gender bond and sustainability-linked programs at Banco Estado and CORFO. She holds an MPA from Columbia University and multiple graduate degrees in finance and economics.
Victoria Paz
Finance Lead
Sam Goodman brings two decades of experience in climate communications and natural resource policy across Latin America and the U.S. He oversees content and stakeholder engagement for the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub and has worked with institutions like Climate Policy Initiative and Conservation International. Sam holds dual master’s degrees from American University and the UN University for Peace.
Sam Goodman
Communications Director
Benjamin Navarro Diaz is a Chilean Forestry Engineer specialized in sustainability and territory management. He supports cross-cultural partnerships and operations for the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub, driven by a strong personal and professional connection to nature. Benjamin is an avid trekker and photographer, and passionate advocate for climate action.
Benjamin Navarro Diaz
Partnerships and Operations Manager
Luz Gil leads government engagement for the Mangrove Breakthrough, helping translate endorsements into policy impact. Her previous roles include Climate Advisor at Mexico’s UN Mission and Deputy Director in the President’s office. Luz holds an MPA in Energy & Environment from Columbia University.
Luz Gil
Policy Lead
Cassia Moraes is the founder of Youth Climate Leaders and Brazil Lead for the Mangrove Breakthrough via Ambition Loop. She has 15+ years of experience in climate policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with roles at Climate KIC and the Brazilian Forum on Climate Change. Cassia holds an MPA from Columbia University.
Cassia Moraes
Brazil Lead
Nigel Topping is the co-founder of Ambition Loop and former UN Climate Champion for COP26, where he launched Race to Zero and the Breakthrough Agenda. He advises governments and institutions including the UK Infrastructure Bank and Climate Change Committee. Nigel was awarded a CMG and is Honorary Professor at Exeter University.
Nigel Topping, CMG
Co-Founder, Ambition Loop
Advisory

Meet the Mangrove Breakthrough Advisory Council

To implement this vision, we’ve established the Mangrove Breakthrough Hub—a centralized force accelerating collaboration, aligning stakeholders, and setting the enabling conditions for finance to flow where it matters most.
Dr. Jennifer Howard leads global efforts on blue carbon and coastal protection at Conservation International. She chairs the Mangrove Breakthrough Advisory Council and co-founded the Global Mangrove Alliance. Her work bridges science, policy, and community to scale high-integrity nature-based solutions.
Jennifer Howard
COuncil chair - member of the GMA Steering Committee - VP, Natural Climate Solutions, Conservation International
David Ramos leads sustainability strategy at HSBC across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. He brings 18 years of experience across finance, consulting, and the fashion sector, with degrees in environmental sciences from Spain and Sweden. He formerly served as Acting Regional Head of Sustainability during COP28.
David Ramos
Senior Manager, Sustainability – HSBC MENAT
Nalini Tarakeshwar oversees strategy, programs, and impact for UBS Optimus Foundation, driving philanthropy in health, education, and climate. She brings 20+ years of global development experience, with past roles at Yale, Duke, and Big Win Philanthropy. Nalini holds a civil engineering degree and a PhD in psychology.
Nalini Tarakeshwar
Deputy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation
Catherine Lovelock is a global expert in mangrove ecology and blue carbon, with leadership in IPCC guidelines and Australia’s first blue carbon methodology. She is an ARC Laureate Fellow and received the Suzanne Corey Medal for research excellence. Her work enhances coastal restoration to support climate mitigation and resilience.
Catherine Lovelock FAA
Professor, University of Queensland
Whitney Johnston leads Salesforce’s ocean sustainability strategy across philanthropy, finance, and policy. She holds a PhD in Chemical Oceanography and business certificates from Stanford and Harvard. Her background spans NOAA, IdeaScale, and work in public-private partnerships for nature-positive change.
Whitney Johnston
Director of Ocean Sustainability, Salesforce
Emmanuelle Pinault directs Systems Transformation for the Climate Champions team, aligning key sectors with 2030 climate goals. She previously led City Diplomacy at C40 Cities and has advised governments on global cooperation and climate diplomacy. Emmanuelle holds degrees in international relations and sociology, and defines herself as a global citizen.
Emmanuelle Pinault
Head of Systems Transformation, Climate Champions
Dr. Jennifer Howard leads global efforts on blue carbon and coastal protection at Conservation International. She chairs the Mangrove Breakthrough Advisory Council and co-founded the Global Mangrove Alliance. Her work bridges science, policy, and community to scale high-integrity nature-based solutions.
Jennifer Howard
Council chair - member of the GMA Steering Committee - VP, Natural Climate Solutions, Conservation International
David Ramos leads sustainability strategy at HSBC across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. He brings 18 years of experience across finance, consulting, and the fashion sector, with degrees in environmental sciences from Spain and Sweden. He formerly served as Acting Regional Head of Sustainability during COP28.
David Ramos
Senior Manager, Sustainability – HSBC MENAT
Nalini Tarakeshwar oversees strategy, programs, and impact for UBS Optimus Foundation, driving philanthropy in health, education, and climate. She brings 20+ years of global development experience, with past roles at Yale, Duke, and Big Win Philanthropy. Nalini holds a civil engineering degree and a PhD in psychology.
Nalini Tarakeshwar
Deputy CEO, UBS Optimus Foundation
Catherine Lovelock is a global expert in mangrove ecology and blue carbon, with leadership in IPCC guidelines and Australia’s first blue carbon methodology. She is an ARC Laureate Fellow and received the Suzanne Corey Medal for research excellence. Her work enhances coastal restoration to support climate mitigation and resilience.
Catherine Lovelock FAA
Professor, University of Queensland
Whitney Johnston leads Salesforce’s ocean sustainability strategy across philanthropy, finance, and policy. She holds a PhD in Chemical Oceanography and business certificates from Stanford and Harvard. Her background spans NOAA, IdeaScale, and work in public-private partnerships for nature-positive change.
Whitney Johnston
Director of Ocean Sustainability, Salesforce
Emmanuelle Pinault directs Systems Transformation for the Climate Champions team, aligning key sectors with 2030 climate goals. She previously led City Diplomacy at C40 Cities and has advised governments on global cooperation and climate diplomacy. Emmanuelle holds degrees in international relations and sociology, and defines herself as a global citizen.
Emmanuelle Pinault
Head of Systems Transformation, Climate Champions
Extended Team

Providing core support across five key pillars

This is the dedicated group driving the Mangrove Breakthrough forward—contributing their time, expertise, and energy to build and lead the initiative’s core working teams and taskforces. Their collaboration forms the engine behind our progress.
  1. Finance – Unlocking Capital for Scaled Impact
  2. Community – Centering Local Leadership for Lasting Change
  3. Policy – Shaping Global and National Frameworks
  4. Pipeline – Scaling Mangrove Projects for Investment
  5. Outreach – Shifting the Global Narrative
Learn More
Three women managing their sustainable oyster farm
Our Values

Our values show up in all that we do:
from conserving, protecting, and restoring mangroves to helping to build community resilience.

System thinkers
We connect the dots across finance, policy, and ecology—because transformation happens when we break down silos.
Fueled by purpose & hope
We are driven by more than urgency—we move with belief. In people. In possibility. By envisioning a nature-positive world.
Bold by default
We take risks where others hesitate. We don’t just work within the system—we’re building the one that should have existed all along.
Impact or nothing
We measure success in what we shift: hectares restored, capital unlocked, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and communities protected. We’re here to deliver.
Community first, always
Lasting solutions come from those who live the realities we aim to change. We follow their lead—and invest accordingly.
Designed for scale
We build blueprints that go beyond pilot projects—tools, models, and frameworks that can be replicated worldwide.
Radically transparent
We believe in showing our work. Results, governance, and capital flows are open, measurable, and rooted in trust.
Enhancing the existing
Strengthen nature-based solutions by adapting proven financial tools and systems—applying what works to deliver lasting impact.
For the Future

Built for climate and community resilience

Contact Us
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