Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI)

#SDGAction39779

Description

The Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) is an historic conservation initiative that brings together for the first time governments, companies and partners to accelerate action on conservation in the Caribbean. Together, the 9 participating countries and territories have committed to conserve at least 20% of nearshore and coastal environments in marine protected areas by 2020 with the help of private and public sector partners. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund has been established to support achievement of the CCI commitments by 2020.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

• The participating CCI countries have already designated 50 new protected areas. The Bahamas established three marine protected areas, including the largest one in the region. The Dominican Republic established 30 new protected areas, surpassing their goal of conserving at least 20% of nearshore and coastal environments, and Jamaica too has set up eight no-take marine zones. • Two marine zoning plans are completed (for the Dominican Republic’s Samana Bay and for St. Kitts and Nevis’ entire Exclusive Economic Zone) to support establishment of protected areas and to improve management.• The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund is currently supported by the German Development Bank, Global Environment Facility, and The Nature Conservancy. It will disburse funding to participating nations to support protected area management beginning as early as 2014.• The Inaugural Caribbean Summit of Business and Political Leaders took place in May 2013 on Necker Island, at the home of Sir Richard Branson, Founder of The Virgin Group. The Summit brought together 15 governments, 17 corporations and several partner organizations. Individual governments made specific conservation commitments and corporations and partners pledged to support marine and coastal conservation in the Caribbean. Nine Governments signed a Leaders Declaration supporting aggressive action on marine conservation and 15 Companies signed a Corporate Compact supporting changes to business practices. • The Defend Paradise Campaign, launched by The Nature Conservancy and GOOD Corps, together with Tiffany & Co., Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd., KOR Water, and Guy Harvey Sportswear, is aimed at raising funds for marine conservation in the Caribbean and boosting consumer awareness of marine environment. In 2014• CCI Governments have identified renewal energy transition as an important step towards achieving sustainability and effective conservation in the Caribbean. • Grenada will host the first permanent CCI Secretariat. The Secretariat will manage CCI operations with the help of an Extended Team of Partners and a CCI Council comprised of representatives from CCI Governments, Companies and Partners. • CCI Governments will develop a Regional Action Plan to catalyze work on the 7 guiding actions of the Leaders Declaration. • With the support of partners, from individuals to foundations and companies, governments will establish national level trust funds, complementing the regional income.

Partners

8 island nations — Bahamas; Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Saint Vincent and Grenadines; Saint Lucia; Grenada; Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Sponsored by Private sectors and country governments.

SDGS & Targets

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

SDG 14 targets covered

Deliverables & Timeline

N/A

Resources mobilized

Financing (in USD)

$75 million

Partnership Progress