Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Blueventures

  • Marine conservation must begin on land

    Secure coastal land rights are essential for sustainable ocean governance, as shown by examples from Fiji, Madagascar, and South Africa. Meaningful consultation with local communities is crucial for sustainable conservation efforts. Governments can pass and implement environmental impact assessment regulations that ensure community participation and access to information. The solution lies in recognizing and respecting secure tenure as the foundation of community-based management. Blue Ventures supports communities in advocating for their land rights and embedding tenure safeguards into policies related to development and marine conservation. Marine conservation begins on land, with communities that have secure land rights.

    https://blueventures.org/marine-conservation-must-begin-on-land/

  • Landmark philanthropic support for coastal communities and small-scale fishers

    Blue Ventures has received a significant donation of USD 62 million from MacKenzie Scott to support small-scale fishers and coastal communities in the tropics. The funding will help strengthen locally led efforts to protect marine ecosystems, sustain livelihoods, and build resilience in the face of climate and ocean crises. The gift recognizes the leadership of coastal communities and aims to scale effective community-led initiatives to address environmental and economic pressures. Blue Ventures will use the funding to implement their 2030 Strategy, focusing on community leadership and supporting frontline partners to drive their own priorities for conservation and stewardship of marine resources. The organization emphasizes the importance of community-led conservation in protecting coastal seas and ensuring equity in climate solutions. Blue Ventures will lead fisheries management, marine conservation, and improve food security for 5 million people, bringing 200,000 km2 of carbon-rich seas under local stewardship and supporting communities with skills, data, and advocacy. Working with partners and councils, the organization will prioritize funding for local solutions to address the climate crisis, enabling communities to adapt and scale effective approaches for healthy oceans and sustainable livelihoods.

    https://blueventures.org/landmark-philanthropic-support-for-coastal-communities-and-small-scale-fishers/

  • Securing rights: Why Tara Bandu matters for fisheries, food and livelihoods

    Customary systems, like Tara Bandu in Timor-Leste, are key to thriving coastal communities as they empower local fishers to become stewards of their own future. By revitalizing traditional governance with modern science, communities are seeing recovering fish stocks, healthier reefs, and improved income stability. Secure rights, recognized by the national government, give communities confidence to protect their resources, leading to stronger food security and sustainable fisheries management. This blend of traditional and modern approaches demonstrates how conservation and culture can reinforce each other, creating a pathway towards resilience and prosperity for coastal communities. Recognizing and supporting systems like Tara Bandu is key to ensuring prosperity and sustainable management of marine resources in coastal communities.

    https://blueventures.org/securing-rights-why-tara-bandu-matters-for-fisheries-food-and-livelihoods/