Protecting Coral Reefs in a Warming World

UNDP South-South|Galaxy Knowledge Hub

Protecting Coral Reefs in a Warming World

Triangular Cooperation between Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Germany to develop a financial mechanism for the conservation of coral reefs in the Dominican Republic

Challenges

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems in the world. These barriers break natural waves, prevent erosion, stabilize the coast, help to form sand for its beaches and provide recreational spaces. Due to unsustainable coastal development, pollution, sedimentation, overfishing and the effects of global warming, much of the world’s coral reefs are at risk, and ten percent have been irreparably damaged. The countries of Central America and the Caribbean are not excluded from this trend. In both, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, coral reefs have suffered significant mortality. Particularly in the Dominican Republic this affects socio-economic development, due to its tourism-based dependence, where services related to coral reefs are one of the main sources of income. Costa Rica has sought to face this trend of environmental degradation, and has more than 25 years of experience in establishing financial mechanisms for environmental services.

Toward a Solution

This triangular project aims to conserve coral reefs through the implementation of a financial mechanism for environmental conservation. Regarding impacts, it is expected that the project contributes to a greater collaboration of the private sector and other relevant actors in preserving the coral reefs in the Dominican Re Acknowledging the value of these environmental services, it will contribute to create more job opportunities in the tourism sector, which will benefit the country’s economic development. Based on the exchange of experiences, the objective is pursued through the following lines of action:

1. Identification and valuation of ecosystem services and awareness rising to the private sector

The ecosystem services of coral reefs are identified, and their value is defined. Based on this information, a communication strategy is developed and implemented in order to convince beneficiaries, especially the private sector, to invest in a financial mechanism for the conservation of these services. Costa Rica contributes with its experience in the valuation of ecosystem services carried out in protected coastal areas of the country and advises the process in the Dominican Re

2. Organizational development of financial mechanism management

Supported by Costa Rican experts, the management structure of the financial mechanism in the Dominican Republic is developed for the conservation of coral reefs and the identification of the ecosystem services, i.e. the benefits provided by the coral reefs. Furthermore, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system is elaborated for the follow up regarding the participation of the private sector, which will be involved with public sector organizations of both countries.

3. Pilot Projects

Projects are being developed to pilot the financial mechanism in Bayahibe, Punta Cana and Samaná in the Dominican Re In each locality the ecosystem services of its coral reefs (for example, carbon sequestration of the atmosphere, presence of marine organisms or touristic potential) are analyzed and a catalogue of measures for their conservation are being created, applying the mentioned M&E system.

The following impacts and results are expected within the framework of the project:

The Dominican Republic has a legally constituted scheme to promote the support of the private sector in the country’s conservation efforts;
The local government supports the financial mechanism for the conservation of corals in the marine-coastal areas;
The private sector recognises the value of the environmental services provided by the coral reefs.
The conservation status of coral reefs in pilot areas has improved.

The success during implementation has generated synergies and attracted more partners to the project. Due to the existing interest and the relevance of the presence of a coastal-marine research institution of the southern country in the process, it was proposed to include the Center for Research in Marine Sciences and Limnology (CIMAR) of the University of Costa Rica (UCR) as part of the partner institutions in the implementation of the project. It has also been decided within the framework of the project to incorporate a pilot site for coral restoration in Costa Rica, specifically in Culebra Bay. Aware of the success of this project, German cooperation, together with its partners, has made no effort to replicate this experience in the region. A new triangular cooperation project was recently approved in which Germany, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic will work together to promote the conservation and restoration of coral reefs in Honduras, through the transfer, exchange and consolidation of experiences and tools consolidated in the previous triangular experience.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Christof Kersting, Director of the Regional Fund for Triangular Cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, Gesellschaft für international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

SDG
14 - Life Below Water

SUPPORTED BY
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

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