Protecting mangrove ecosystems for coastal communities: Conservation International Ventures with financial support from The Coca‑Cola Foundation to launch innovative new climate resilience project
Singapore, 20 August 2024 – The Coca‑Cola Foundation (TCCF), the global philanthropic arm of The Coca‑Cola Company (TCCC), and Conservation International Ventures (CI Ventures) today announced the launch of a new, innovative climate resilience project in Southeast Asia to protect and restore mangrove areas - which play a critical role in guarding against the impact of climate change.
Globally, protecting mangrove areas against coastal flooding is estimated to help save more than USD$80 billion in losses annually, and could impact around 18 million people worldwide.
Southeast Asia is a critical region for mangrove ecosystems, including Indonesia, which is home to 3.63 million hectares, representing a significant amount of the world’s remaining mangroves.
Mangroves contribute to coastal resilience, especially in the Philippines, which experiences the devastation of multiple typhoons yearly.
Through a US$1.5 million grant, the project will create a dedicated investment pool in Conservation International’s Venture philanthropy fund, financing up to three to four small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Investment will go towards businesses that support local communities and mangrove protection such as crab cultivation or wild shellfish harvesting.
Carlos Pagoaga, President, The Coca‑Cola Foundation said:
“This financing initiative delivers on The Coca‑Cola Foundation’s continued focus to help support climate resilience and enable vulnerable communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
“While this is just the first step, we envision that this project will help improve the lives of thousands of people living in vulnerable shoreline communities by restoring and protecting mangrove coastlines across Indonesia and the Philippines.
Gracie White, Conservation International Ventures Director of Global Ocean Investments, said:
“Marine and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes play a significant role in global climate mitigation and adaptation. Mangroves are climate superstars— a single square kilometre of mangroves can lock away as much climate-warming carbon as the annual emissions of 35,000 cars.
This new innovative climate resilience project is the latest to transform the way we approach climate protection and support businesses that are focussed on the growth and protection of vital mangrove ecosystems. We are excited for the support of The Coca Cola Foundation on this effort.”
To learn more or find out more on how to apply contact civentures@conservation.org.
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About the Coca‑Cola Foundation
The Coca‑Cola Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in communities around the world where The Coca‑Cola Company operates and where our employees live and work. We support transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges 1 and that leave a measurable and lasting impact. Our giving is focused on sustainable access to safe water, climate resilience and disaster risk preparedness and response, circular economy, economic empowerment, and causes impacting our hometown community. Since its inception in 1984, The Coca‑Cola Foundation has awarded grants of over $1.5 billion in service of its mandate to strengthen communities across the world.
About CI Ventures
CI Ventures is an award-winning impact investing program that provides loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises that operate in key landscape and seascape ecosystems where Conservation International works. The program uses philanthropic capital to provide flexible, patient, and risk-tolerant investments to nature-positive enterprises. Returns are reinvested in new businesses, enabling conservation to pay for itself and for capital to be recycled, multiplying the impact of every dollar invested. Learn more here.