Climate funders pledge $60.8 million to protect Mediterranean Sea
The Med Donors’ Roundtable, a coalition of environmental funders led by Monaco’s Fondation Prince Albert II (FPA2), have announced a five-year, €57 million ($60.8 million) commitment to protect 30 percent of the Mediterranean Sea’s marine ecosystems by 2030.
The pledge—made at the Our Ocean Conference in Athens, Greece—includes $13.8 million from the Global Environment Facility with additional commitments from FPA2 and the Segré, Thalassa, and Tiffany & Co. foundations; the Critical Ecosystems Partnership and Shark Conservation funds; the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative; the Conservation Collective; MedFund; Oceans 5; and the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy project.
According to a Roundtable statement, an estimated $277 million will be needed in the next five years to establish a well-managed, protected marine area network that covers 30 percent of the Mediterranean Sea. At present, only 8.33 percent is protected, while just 0.23 percent is fully or highly protected.
“Efforts to protect the Mediterranean Sea have grown over the years, but not fast enough. Last year, countries committed to achieving the global 30x30 target. Urgent action is needed at all levels if we are to meet this ambitious target,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco. “With this pledge, private and public donors call upon others to join the effort. We are committed to push for an effective 30 percent protection by 2030, including 10 percent strict protection.”
(Photo credit: Getty Images/InstCaner)
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