Pacific coral reefs and the Great Barrier Reef combined are home to almost 40% of the world's coral reef ecosystems.
Almost 12 million Pacific Islanders - some 94% of the population - rely on reefs for food and economic security.
But climate change is threatening the survival of coral reefs. Most reefs in the Pacific are expected to experience severe coral bleaching conditions at least twice per decade by the 2030s, with severe bleaching expected annually by the 2040s.
Despite this, the region has directly received less than 4% of funding for actions to restore coral reef systems.
Pacific Island nations have called for support from the global community to help address this decline and implement the 2030 Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan, which outlines a more coordinated approach to reef resilience-building.
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation has responded to this call with the second phase of its Resilient Reefs Initiative. This program will accelerate climate adaptation and restoration across Pacific reefs by sharing the latest scientific methods, and connecting reef custodians with technical experts and funders from around the world.
Two key programs will accelerate the scale and pace of action towards the delivery of the 2030 Pacific Coral Reef Action Plan:
Credit: Gabriel Barathieu, Ocean Image Bank
#Resilience Hubs
In three locations across the Pacific, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation will partner with local reef management authorities, traditional custodians and communities to help realise their vision for a healthy and resilient reef.
The Resilience Hubs will enable communities to combine local knowledge and leadership, together with the latest scientific methods, to build reef resilience to climate change.
Credit: Katerina Katopis, Ocean Image Bank
#Accelerator Program
The Accelerator Program will support an expanding community of new Pacific-led projects every year, connecting funders and technical experts with community partners working on the ground.
It will also help donors partner with each other, to ensure they contribute the greatest possible value for the region.
Credit: Jayne Jenkins, Ocean Image Bank
The Resilient Reefs Initiative is funded by BHP Foundation. Through the Accelerator Program, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation will work with SPREP to build a diverse community of funders interested in supporting Pacific-led reef resilience projects.
This second phase is based on extensive learnings from the first phase - a global pilot that ran from 2018 to 2024. The pilot established ongoing partnerships with the Koror State Government and New Caledonian Biodiversity Agency (ANCB) to build the resilience of two important reef sites in Palau and New Caledonia.
Main image credit: Jordan Robins, Ocean Image Bank
