Announcement: A decade after Paris, new work programme drives stronger, more coordinated climate action. Read here.
Parts of this site were translated using AI. Accuracy may vary.
Announcement: A decade after Paris, new work programme drives stronger, more coordinated climate action. Read here.
Parts of this site were translated using AI. Accuracy may vary.
Wednesday, 23 July 2025 | By Climate Champions, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), CMS Dugong, International Climate Initiative, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, United Nations Environment Programme
Seagrasses are among the world’s most productive natural habitats, providing a plethora of highly valuable ecosystem services. They support biodiversity with food and habitat; improve water quality by filtering, cycling and storing nutrients and pollutants; protect coastal areas by attenuating wave energy; and support marine-based economic sectors, such as tourism and fisheries, including by providing critical nursery habitat to 20% of the world’s biggest fisheries.
Whilst covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor, seagrass sediments store up to 18% of oceanic carbon, constituting one of the planet’s most efficient carbon stores. This ecosystem plays a key role in climate change mitigation through their highly effective carbon sequestration and storage capacity and in climate change adaptation through protection against sea-level rise and flooding. Seagrasses also buffer ocean acidification, thus contributing to the resilience of vulnerable species and ecosystems, such as coral reefs.
Despite their importance, seagrass meadows have been declining globally at an alarming rate of 110 km2 per year since 1980, resulting in the loss of 29% of the world known seagrasses due to global stressors, such as ocean warming, marine heatwaves and sea level rise, as well as local stressors (e.g. coastal development, eutrophication, dredging, disease). This loss has led to significant ecological and socioeconomic impacts.
In response to the needed urgency, the Seagrass Breakthrough delivery partners are convening The First Arabian Regional Scientific Seagrass Workshop, as the Arabian Peninsula is a key region for seagrass diversity and distribution, with the Arabian Gulf, home to approx. 6% of the world’s seagrasses (with 80% of this occur in the Abu Dhabi waters), and the Red Sea, hosting 12 documented species. The upcoming First Arabian Regional Scientific Seagrass Workshop aims to bring seagrass scientists from across the Arabian region to share knowledge about the current state of seagrass research, identify research gaps, exchange expertise, and develop a platform for future scientific collaboration. The meeting is expected to generate a significant momentum for advancing seagrass research and strengthening scientific cooperation in the region.
Building on the Ocean Breakthroughs, the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough provides a framework for State and non-State actors to work together, safeguarding over 16 million hectares of global seagrass. Scientific evidence highlights the urgency of mobilizing at least USD 12 billion by 2030 to halt seagrass loss, ensure effective protection, and accelerate restoration.
It launched the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough Pool of Experts. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Office – Abu Dhabi and the Climate High-Level Champions established a pool of experts, 36 professionals experienced in seagrass conservation and other fields, to support the shaping and operationalization of the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough. This expert group played a crucial role in defining the spatial and financial goals of the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough, identifying funding mechanisms and financial strategies to support seagrass conservation efforts, and identifying seagrass ecosystem conservation, restoration and management needs, along with respective methodologies and approaches to address them.
It hosted the First Asian Regional Dialogue on Seagrass and Dugong Conservation to bring together key actors to bridge existing gaps, amplify impactful action, and develop actionable strategies for the protection and restoration of seagrass ecosystems and associated dugong populations. Through targeted discussions and working group sessions, the dialogue enhanced regional cooperation, scaled up seagrass conservation initiatives, and mobilized the resources necessary to secure the long-term resilience of these critical ecosystems.
It is gaining global momentum and support, the Seagrass Breakthrough secured the Non-State Actor endorsement of The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center and Project Seagrass, driving a transformative partnership at the intersection of conservation, science, finance, and policy. The Seagrass Breakthrough, a multi-stakeholder initiative, is building a global coalition of stakeholders from civil society, governments, Indigenous groups, and the private sector. Together, the Seagrass Breakthrough delivery partners will drive collaborative pathways to accelerate a comprehensive, coordinated global approach to seagrass conservation.
It received government endorsers and Upcoming Supporters of the Seagrass Breakthrough: the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are the first countries to formally endorse the Seagrass Breakthrough, demonstrating strong regional and global leadership in the effort to protect one million hectares of seagrass by 2030. Several other governments—such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka—have been approached and are currently reviewing their endorsement letters, with promising signs of broader support across the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to government endorsements, a number of international foundations and private sector actors have also expressed interest in supporting the Seagrass Breakthrough. Details of these new partners will be announced during the official launch event, planned to take place at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025, in Abu Dhabi. This growing coalition underscores the momentum behind the initiative and reflects the increasing recognition of seagrass ecosystems as critical to biodiversity, climate resilience, and coastal livelihoods.
The 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough, a collaborative effort between the CMS Office Abu Dhabi and the Climate High-Level Champions, represents a groundbreaking initiative for the conservation, restoration, and protection of global seagrass ecosystems. This initiative not only aims to safeguard these vital ecosystems but also recognizes their immense potential as nature-based solutions for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and promoting human well-being.
The 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough marks a significant advancement in marine biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience enhancement, and climate change mitigation efforts. Aligned with key global commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (especially its Targets 2 and 3), the Paris Agreement, Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar), UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UN Decade of Ocean Science, and others, the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough provides a roadmap for non-State actors and governments to synchronize and mobilize their global pledges with grassroots and regional endeavors.
Sitting within the framework of the Ocean Breakthroughs, the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough emphasizes the critical importance of conserving and restoring seagrass ecosystems. This initiative underscores the pivotal role of seagrass in addressing climate change, preserving biodiversity, fortifying disaster resilience, and advancing sustainable development objectives.
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