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Coral reefs occur in over 100 countries and territories and are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. It is estimated that they provide up to USD $9.9 trillion in goods and services each year1 and USD $109 billion in GDP is protected by coral reefs worldwide2. Despite this immense value, recognising that close to one billion people1 (13% of the global population) live in proximity to coral reefs, supporting livelihoods, food security, and coastal protection, coral reefs are under mounting threats from both local and global pressures, including climate change. The global coverage of living coral has declined by 50% since the 1950s, whilst at least 63% of coral-reef-associated biodiversity has declined with loss of coral reef extent3.

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) presented that between 2009 to 2018, a progressive loss of live coral cover on the world’s coral reefs amounting to 14% was recorded4. Coral reef loss is driven by a combination of factors, with elevated sea surface temperatures resulting in coral mortality a major driver in global coral reef decline4. Climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, compound the degradation of the world’s coral reefs with local pressures including agricultural runoff, coastal development, overfishing and destructive fishing and unsustainable tourism, further exacerbating the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems, and reducing coral resilience to climate-induced drivers of loss. The increase in extreme conditions for coral reefs has led to more frequent and intense coral bleaching events, resulting in mass mortality, significantly affecting the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems globally.

The Fourth Global Bleaching Event, announced in April 2024, marks a critical moment for global environmental action, highlighting the escalating threats facing coral reef ecosystems. The most severe bleaching event recorded to date, surpassing previous events in both scale and impact, signals both the urgent need to address climate change and the critical importance of enhancing coral reef resilience. It is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of climate change, ecosystem health, and human well-being. Urgent, collective action is essential to address this crisis and safeguard the ecological and economic benefits coral reefs provide for future generations.