Mangroves for climate: Public, Private and Community Partnerships for Mitigation and Adaptation in Ecuador

Ecuador’s coastal regions are experiencing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme El Niño events, increased precipitation variability, and hotter temperatures. These conditions lead to frequent and severe coastal flooding, which threatens local communities and economic activities. Despite their crucial role in mitigating these impacts, mangroves are rapidly being deforested, primarily for shrimp farming. This increases coastal communities' vulnerability to climate risks.  To address these challenges, the project engages local communities and the private sector in the restoration and sustainable management of mangrove areas. The project will strengthen community-based mangrove management while enhancing the local population’s resilience by improving livelihoods. Furthermore, the project will support shrimp aquaculture farms to adopt practices and production standards that require the elimination of deforestation and active reforestation in coastal and mangrove areas, via results-based payments, and by strengthening governance structures. The project promotes multiple co-benefits, including the enhancement of ecosystem health, improved fisheries, and reduction of flood risks. This funding proposal was developed with support provided by the GCF Project Preparation Facility.