COP28 - WHY MANGROVES ARE HAVING THEIR MOMENT - CR EDIT

HEADLINE:  COP28: WHY MANGROVES ARE HAVING THEIR MOMENT
DURATION:  02:18
SOURCE:  NATURE POSITIVE
RESTRICTIONS:  ACCESS ALL PLATFORMS IN PERPETUITY; NO ARCHIVE RESALES

INTRO:

Cop28 is delivering a major  ‘Mangrove Moment’ as governments and NGOs around the world move to protect and invest in this remarkable species of coastal tree. The ‘Mangrove Breakthrough’ sees vital new funds targeted at these plants which can absorb vast quantities of CO2 and defend communities against the worst effects of climate change in the UAE and across the globe.

Mangroves support biodiversity and supply seafood at capacities large enough to feed millions of people. Fisheries, economies and communities across the world are dependent on the restoration and protection of these vital ecosystems. They act as vast carbon sinks, absorbing up to five times more carbon than land-based forests. They have the potential to sequester 24m tonnes of carbon per year, the equivalent to the annual emissions of France or Poland.

Yet mangroves are one of the most under-protected and threatened ecosystems on the planet.  Mangrove restoration and protection receives approximately 1% of climate finance. And logging for timber and charcoal, tourism, agriculture and aquaculture have all led to an alarming loss of global mangrove cover. If things carry on as they are, every unprotected mangrove forest will disappear by the end of this century.

But mangroves are finally in the spotlight.  First launched at COP27 in Egypt a year ago, The Mangrove Breakthrough has gained momentum throughout the year.  Signed by 21 countries in Dubai, itt now aims to secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangrove forests by 2030 by unlocking USD 4million. It’s a collaboration of governments, philanthropy, private sector, financial institutions and NGOs all coming together to halt loss, restore half, double protection and insure sustainable finance for mangroves.

SCRIPT
Mangroves, the neglected superstars of the natural world,  are finally having their moment at COP

CAPTION;  MANUAL PULGAR-VIDAL, GLOBAL LEAD, CLIMATE AND ENERGY, WWF

“So for this COP we are expecting to have clarity in halting loss of mangrove but also doubling our effort to protect it and to restore mangrove.”

CAPTION:  EMILY LAND, OCEAN LEAD, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

“ Right now we're experiencing what we call a mangrove moment. … So they really do everything for the ocean and for people in the communities that live around them.  So when we think about carbon dioxide, removal mangrove ecosystems can do more than 5 to 9 times than the tropical rainforest per hectare.” 

But they are more than carbon sinks …

Mangrove forests support biodiversity, protect shorelines and enhance fishstocks 

SOUNDBITE, EMILY LANDIS

So the fish that are caught offshore, most of them have spent some of their lifecycle in the mangrove roots. It's a really important juvenile nursery fishery habitat. 

Yet mangroves are one of the most under-protected and threatened ecosystems on the planet.  

CAPTION:  MARINA ANTONOPOULOU, EMIRATES-NATURE WWF

“Mangroves are perhaps, you know, like the flagship habitat that has received the most loss and pressure from humanity at the coastal areas.”

If things carry on as they are, every unprotected mangrove forest will disappear by the end of this century.

But now mangroves are finally in the spotlight, things are set to change

A Mangrove Breakthrough has been announced and COP hosts UAE are right behind it

SOUNDBITE, EMILY LANDIS:

“It's been great to partner with the UAE on this. They have launched a Global Mangrove Alliance for Climate.  They have been strong supporters of the Mangrove Breakthrough, which is a coalition led $4 billion investment by 2030 to safeguard 15 million hectares of mangroves.”

The UAE have pledged to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 

SOUNDBITE, MARINA ANTONOPOULOU 

“It's not as simple as planting a seeds into the water. It requires a lot of research, a lot of science based, if you like, analysis. It requires also discussions with local stakeholders to ensure that, you know, in terms of land use, that area that you're restoring will remain over time.”

SOUNDBITE, EMILY LANDIS

“If has to be a seascape approach. You can’t just plant a mangrove. It has to be what is the hydrology doing behind you what is he ocean doing in front of you”

It is is hoped that this is just the start of a mangrove renaissance for the benefit of people and planet

SOUNDBITE, EMILY LANDIS

“And so what we really need to see after this COP is commitments translating to action on the ground, to actual hectares and to financial commitments, and you see permanence and they will be there 50 years from now, 100 years from now”