Creating a path toward mobilizing USD 4 billion and protecting and restoring more than 15 million hectares of mangroves.

The 2030 Mangrove Breakthrough roadmap aims to scale the protection and restoration of mangroves to match the magnitude of the climate crisis currently facing the world's coastal zones. Achieving the initiative's objectives means not only meeting quantitative targets but also marking a turning point in how mangroves are valued by public and private decision-makers.

Recent extreme weather events such as severe flooding in Colombia, extratropical cyclones in Brazil, and extreme storms in Mexico have highlighted the fragility of territories, infrastructure, and local economies. Faced with this reality, the debate on adaptation and resilience has ceased to be theoretical, becoming an urgent matter of public policy and economic planning.

Looking toward 2030, the Breakthrough aims to meet quantitative targets as well as structurally transform how mangroves are valued, financed, and integrated into public and private decisions. The goal of mobilizing USD 4 billion for the protection and restoration of mangroves represents a turning point, at which the supply and demand of projects, public policies, financial instruments, and technological solutions will have reached a level of maturity and sophistication sufficient to consolidate a new way of valuing and financing these ecosystems. Reaching this figure means closing the financial gap that currently limits the scale of nature-based solutions, through new models, greater international coordination, and a more strategic reading of climate risk.

One of the pillars of this roadmap is the development of a financial architecture capable of attracting large-scale capital and reducing the risks associated with mangrove projects. Instruments like the Mangrove Catalytic Facility have been designed to unlock early-stage initiatives, combining seed capital, technical assistance, and concessional financial mechanisms that enable the entry of development banks, climate funds, and private investors. The logic is clear: without structures that reduce uncertainty and improve bankability, climate ambition does not translate into real impact.

Moving forward, the Mangrove Breakthrough aims to consolidate a robust pipeline of investment-ready projects, distributed across strategic regions and aligned with national priorities. Working with governments is key to this process, integrating mangroves into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), adaptation plans, and coastal development strategies.

"When a country understands that the loss of mangroves not only generates environmental impacts but also immediate fiscal costs and heightened risks for its infrastructure, the conversation changes. For a minister of finance, the mangrove ceases to be just about conservation and becomes a matter of risk management," explains Carlos E. Correa, Global Ambassador for the Mangrove Breakthrough.

The private sector also occupies a central role. The Mangrove Breakthrough seeks to demonstrate that investing in mangroves is not solely an environmental action, but also a strategic decision yielding climate, social, and economic returns. Sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, coastal agriculture, and sustainable finance face growing risks associated with the loss of these natural ecosystems.

"Mangroves are critical infrastructure for your business. Without mangroves, your coastal investment portfolio is at a much higher risk. By incorporating mangroves into decision-making for relevant geographies, you will build a more robust portfolio and will see new investment opportunities emerging," notes Ignace Beguin Billecocq, Executive Director of the Mangrove Breakthrough.

Another key component of the roadmap is the strengthening of monitoring, transparency, and accountability. The use of digital mapping and tracking platforms makes it possible to measure progress, identify priority areas, and evaluate impacts in real time, generating trust among governments, investors, and strategic partners. These tools are fundamental to demonstrating that mangrove protection is not only desirable but also measurable, verifiable, and scalable.

On the political and governance front, the initiative will continue to expand its international support base, bringing on board countries, cities, and coastal regions, and strengthening cooperation among territories facing similar challenges. Cases like Colombia and Indonesia have shown that the combination of political leadership, technical evidence, and clarity regarding economic benefits can accelerate decision-making.

"The process works when local priorities are connected with a clear global value proposition. The Mangrove Breakthrough acts as a catalyst for that connection," Beguin adds.

Looking toward the end of the decade, the Mangrove Breakthrough projects itself as a global benchmark in nature-based solutions. Its comprehensive approach—combining science, finance, public policy, and on-the-ground action—seeks to demonstrate that it is possible to simultaneously tackle the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities. In a context marked by increasingly frequent climate emergencies, the initiative proposes a new paradigm: recognizing mangroves as critical natural infrastructure and a strategic ally for the resilience of coastal communities and economies worldwide.

The Spanish version of this article can be accessed here.

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