Global Fund for Coral Reefs
The GFCR is a blended finance instrument to mobilise action and resources to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems.
DECISIVE ACTION TO MEET EXISTENTIAL THREATS
Up to half of the world’s coral reefs have been lost, and if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C, 90% could disappear. Reef degradation jeopardises one of the richest sources of biodiversity on Earth and the livelihoods of a billion people. The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) provides grant funding and private capital to support sustainable interventions to save coral reefs and the communities that rely on them. Officially announced in September of 2020, we are now actively and urgently seeking additional partners and investors for greater finance and engagement!
COALITION
UN Agencies, nations, philanthropies, private investors and organisations have joined the Global Fund for Coral Reefs Coalition to deliver on ecological, social and economic resilience.
Days left to the launch of the 2030 Coral Reef Breakthrough. The Coral Reef Breakthrough will aim to establish an accountability framework for governments and non-state actors to scale actions and finance for the protection of coral reef ecosystems. GFCR and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) are co-leading the Coral Reef Breakthrough process with the COP28 High-Level Climate Champion team. A working group of renowned global scientists has been convened to develop the Breakthrough’s science-based, measurable, and achievable financial and conservation targets at scale. A major round of endorsement and contribution mobilisation will take place in the lead up to COP28. During COP28, major financial commitments from global private and public leaders toward achievement of the Breakthrough will be launched. GFCR will be the primary global financial instrument for the Breakthrough, positioned as investment-ready for both donors and investors to scale science-based coral reef solutions.
$125M
In donor funds deployed by the Grant Fund
$500M
In investment deployed by the Investment Fund
$2-3Bn
Catalysed from global public and private investors and institutions
How We Work
Mobilising effective reef conservation efforts
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs is creating a new paradigm for protection of an ecosystem on the brink of extinction with a myriad of implications, while enhancing resilience of coral reef countries and communities. Through blended finance and innovative public-private partnership, the Fund is catalysing a sustainable financial ecosystem for conservation and development of coral reefs.
Our Approach
Building capacity and scaling impact
The GFCR is a 10-year, $625 million blended finance vehicle established through a coalition between United Nations agencies, financial institutions, and private philanthropy sources. The GFCR supports business models that can sustainably finance key conservation and development goals for coral reefs via two initiative funds. Technical assistance, capacity development, monitoring, and evaluation are provided via the grant fund, while the investment fund generates de-risked investment capital to maximise the impact of projects incubated by the grant fund. For detailed information, the Terms of Reference and Theory of Change are available on the resources page.
A Paradigm Shift
The world’s coral reefs — and reef-dependent communities — require urgent action to safeguard their future. The GFCR is working to capitalise the 10-year, $125M grant fund of the blended finance instrument.
