Racing against time: A global call to save the world’s mangroves

In December 2024,  Abu Dhabi hosted a pivotal gathering of more than 300 international experts, policymakers, and community leaders united by a single urgent message: the race is on to save the world’s mangroves. At the inaugural International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference (IMCRC), convened by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI), delegates from 82 countries raised the alarm. Nearly half of the world’s mangrove forests face collapse by 2050 due to relentless human-driven pressures.

Throughout the conference, participants emphasized the pressing need for coordinated global action—to protect existing mangrove ecosystems, rehabilitate degraded areas, and promote sustainable management practices. The event also underscored Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global leader in mangrove science and restoration efforts.

Through the ADMI—a comprehensive platform encompassing all mangrove and blue carbon-related projects in the emirate—and in partnership with global entities such as the Global Mangrove Alliance, IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and the Global Ocean Decade Programme for Blue Carbon, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, research, and large-scale ecological restoration.

Reaffirming the global commitment on the International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves

Coinciding with the International Day for the Conservation of Mangroves, celebrated annually to raise awareness about the value of these critical coastal ecosystems, the conference renewed calls for international solidarity.

Mangroves are far more than coastal trees—they are natural defenses against sea level rise and storms, vital nurseries for marine life, and among the planet’s most effective carbon sinks. Their survival is not optional; it is essential. Without urgent intervention, the world risks losing ecosystems that are not only irreplaceable but also vital to climate resilience and biodiversity.

Yet despite the sobering outlook, the conference offered a sense of optimism. Advances in science, the success of grassroots initiatives, and growing political momentum are together creating a path forward—one that could not only halt mangrove loss but drive their large-scale revival.

Science-based restoration: Letting nature lead 

Over the past 30 years, more than one million hectares of mangroves have been lost. However, IMCRC experts highlighted that approximately 70% of this area—more than 800,000 hectares—is restorable.

At the heart of recovery efforts is Ecological Mangrove Restoration (EMR), an evidence-based approach rooted in science, local engagement, and respect for natural processes. EMR focuses on restoring the environmental conditions—such as hydrology, soil quality, and tidal flow—that allow mangroves to regenerate naturally. Studies show that when nature is given the right conditions, it can heal itself, often more effectively than with direct human intervention. The result is healthier forests, enhanced biodiversity, and stronger resilience to climate change. 

The critical role of restoration programs

Mangrove restoration programs grounded in scientific principles are among the most effective tools to accelerate environmental recovery. By selecting suitable sites, prioritizing native species, and applying modern planting techniques, these programs help rehabilitate damaged habitats and strengthen ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change and ongoing threats.

Connecting ecosystems, empowering communities

Another key takeaway from the conference was the recognition that mangrove conservation cannot happen in isolation. Experts advocated for a coastal and seascape approach—restoring ecological corridors that link mangroves, seagrasses, coral reefs, and upstream rivers.

Crucially, the conference placed local communities at the heart of mangrove strategies. Across all sessions, a central message emerged: successful mangrove conservation must be by the people and for the people. Communities that depend on mangroves for fisheries, coastal protection, and livelihoods must be actively engaged from the outset. This includes securing land tenure rights, providing training opportunities, and supporting alternative income sources such as eco-tourism and sustainable fishing. When communities thrive, so do mangroves.

Financing the future of mangroves

One of the most pressing challenges identified at IMCRC was funding. To scale restoration efforts to the level required, significant and diversified investments—from governments, the private sector, and philanthropic institutions—must be mobilized swiftly.

The Mangrove Breakthrough, launched at COP27, aims to mobilize $4 billion for mangrove protection and restoration by 2030, serving as a bridge between policy, finance, and action. However, financing models must move beyond carbon credits to recognize the full spectrum of mangrove ecosystem services—from biodiversity and coastal protection to climate mitigation. Investments must support long-term, science-driven, community-led projects.

The global biodiversity crisis requires an estimated $8 trillion in investment, with annual nature-related financing needing to quadruple by 2050. Small-scale projects alone will not suffice—scaling up is essential.

The ADMI Partnership Programme: A model for collaboration

Against this backdrop, the ADMI Partnership Programme presents a promising model for collaborative action. It enables organizations—both within and beyond Abu Dhabi—to work jointly on initiatives to restore and protect mangrove ecosystems, delivering tangible benefits for nature, climate, and communities.

This programme adopts a scientific, results-oriented approach to restoration and promotes integration between the public and private sectors, as well as other stakeholders. It reflects a growing global consensus: urgent action must follow urgent words.

 The final message from the conference was clear:

“We have the knowledge. We have the tools. What we need now is scale, speed, and solidarity.”

The window to safeguard mangroves is closing. But with science, community engagement, and political will aligned, a future where mangroves not only survive—but thrive—is still within reach.