Building a lifeline for the world’s coral reefs

Problem

Despite covering less than 1% of the ocean’s floor, coral reefs support 25% of all marine life and provide livelihoods, food security and coastal protection to 1 billion people globally. But climate change, destructive fishing and other pressures have wiped out half of the world's coral reefs since the 1950s. Without urgent action, 90% of the remaining reefs will die by 2050, causing an existential crisis for ocean ecosystems and the communities that rely on them for food, protection and cultural heritage. While traditional restoration efforts are slow, expensive and small-scale, new technology can be a lifeline to these critical ecosystems at scale — but only if they’re implemented now.

Big Idea

The Great Barrier Reef Foundation is transforming coral reef restoration by using advanced new technology, setting up locally-driven hubs and driving sustainable financing to spur the global adoption of these techniques. Their targeted approach focuses on "vital reefs," key areas that can drive 50% of all recovery potential, to create a restoration domino effect. The foundation and its partners have developed a process to grow and cultivate tens of millions of heat-tolerant coral larvae and pioneered new seeding techniques to deploy these corals en masse. By collaborating with local populations, particularly Indigenous communities, Great Barrier Reef Foundation will seed vital reefs across Australia and the Pacific with these heat-tolerant corals, building a lifeline for coral reefs and the communities that depend upon them.

Plan

By 2031, Great Barrier Reef Foundation will restore 50 vital reefs across Australia and the Pacific, planting 1.2 million heat-tolerant corals each year — 30 times the current rate. From this base, they will expand their efforts to reach vital reefs globally. By 2040, they plan to increase the current rate of coral planting by 120 times the current rate. To achieve this, they will establish portable micro-nurseries, run by Indigenous communities and local tourism operators. These micro-nurseries use automated systems to grow heat-tolerant coral in small tanks, and then deploy coral larvae en masse, using ceramic cradles rather than planting coral by hand. This will drastically speed up the restoration process, while reducing costs and labor. Through this model, Great Barrier Reef Foundation will build a strong, community-led restoration network that can be expanded, helping create a future for the world’s coral reefs.

Why will it Succeed?

Great Barrier Reef Foundation has an impressive record in pioneering innovations in coral restoration, turning what was once unimaginable into reality. Their work unites Indigenous communities, local businesses, scientists and government leaders to create new strategies for protecting reefs from climate change. Through initiatives like the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), the foundation and its partners have developed advanced technologies and techniques that make large-scale coral planting possible. And through the Resilient Reefs Initiative, which has engaged more than 3,000 local beneficiaries across four Pacific and Caribbean sites, they’ve supported the development of Palau’s first government-endorsed fisheries management plan and Belize’s coastal protection policies. These efforts have helped raise an additional $10 million for expansion into Pacific sites, allowing the foundation to help protect and restore more coral reefs around the world. They are the established leader in this space.