Island Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC)
The IOCC convening partners are: Island Conservation (NGO), Re:wild (NGO), and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (Academic Institution), The Republic of Palau (Government), The Republic of Panama (Government)
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Non-governmental organization (NGO)
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#OceanAction57858
Description
The IOCC will holistically restore at least 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems by 2030 to benefit biodiversity, oceans, and communities. This Challenge responds directly to the triple threats disproportionately impacting island communities: climate change, declining ocean health, and species extinction. Indigenous knowledge and growing scientific evidence demonstrate that restored terrestrial island ecosystems offer a nature-based solution to these threats, dramatically propagating benefits to surrounding marine environments and the communities that rely on them. “Connector species” living at the land-sea interface, such as seabirds and turtles, bring important sea-derived nutrients to islands, fertilizing native plants. Nutrients then flow into the ocean and nourish the marine ecosystem, significantly increasing fish populations, coral reef growth, and resiliency.
Indigenous peoples and local communities have long understood and managed natural resources in the context of land-to-sea connections. The Challenge aims to break down artificial silos between conservation organizations, funders, and researchers, aligning them to scale this work globally by partnering with island nations and local communities to address their most urgent needs. This campaign will result in dozens of local community champion partners collaborating with regional and global conservation NGOs and research institutions to advance island-marine restorations. Community champions will form and strengthen inter-island relationships, exchanging and learning from traditional and modern natural resource management practices. The IOCC will require new, cross-cutting collaborations, bold pledges, and funding partnerships to leverage financing and deliver restoration and rewilding where it has the most benefit for terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Restoring and rewilding 40 islands will support hundreds of island communities, increasing their ability to address, and adapt to, climate change. The restored island-ocean ecosystems will support thriving and resilient near-shore ecosystems, such as coral reefs, which have been proven to grow and regenerate at up to four times their pre-restoration rate. Healthier near-shore ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrasses that benefit from restoration, will buffer islands from climate change impacts such as extreme storm surge and flooding events, along with reducing the rate of land erosion through strengthened root systems. In addition to harboring up to 50% more fish biomass in their near-shore ecosystems, restored islands can also capture and sequester millions of metric tons of carbon per year, making island-ocean restoration both a short- and long-term nature-based climate solution. The IOCC will support Small Island Developing States and island communities across the globe with increased food security and well-being with resilient, productive ecosystems and natural resources. Small Island Developing States and island communities not only benefit from improved food security from fish biomass and healthier soil for agriculture, but they are also more able to support nature tourism economies. The IOCC will improve the conservation status of established MPAs and create opportunities for implementing more effective MPAs in each region across the world. The establishment of well-managed MPAs can help to more swiftly realize ecosystem gains when land-sea connectivity is strengthened by island restorations.
American Bird Conservancy (NGO)
Birdlife International (NGO)
BirdLife South Africa (NGO)
Charles Darwin Foundation (NGO)
Cookson Adventures (Private Sector)
Danny Faure Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
Department of Conservation- New Zealand (Intergovernmental Organziation)
Ebiil Society (NGO)
Fundemar (NGO)
Galapagos Conservation Trust (NGO)
Global Island Partnership- GLISPA (NGO)
Government of Chile (Government)
Government of Dominican Republic (Government)
Government of Ecuador (Government)
Government of Palau (Government)
Government of Panama (Government)
Island Conservation (NGO)
Journeys With Purpose (Private Sector)
The Katherine and Peter Dolan Family Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
The Kingdom of Tonga (Government)
Leo Model Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
Marisla Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
Marshall Islands Conservation Society (Intergovernmental Organization)
Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (Intergovernmental Organization)
The Mouse-Free Marion Project (NGO)
North Equity Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
Ocean Finance Company (Philanthropic Organization)
Oceankind (Philanthropic Organization)
One Reef (NGO)
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (Philanthropic Organization)
Rare (NGO)
Republic of the Marshall Islands (Government)
Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Saint-Martin (Intergovernmental Organization)
Re:wild (NGO)
Salesforce (Public Sector)
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (Intergovernmental Organization)
Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie- Manu (NGO)
Sonsorol State, Palau (Government)
Tetiaroa Society (NGO)
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (NGO)
UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Academic Institution)
US Virgin Islands – Department of Fish and Wildlife (Intergovernmental Organization)
Wanderlust Fund (Philanthropic Organization)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 11
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
11.1
By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
11.1.1
Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing
11.2
11.2.1
Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
11.3
11.3.1
Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
11.3.2
Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and democratically
11.4
Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
11.4.1
Total per capita expenditure on the preservation, protection and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage, by source of funding (public, private), type of heritage (cultural, natural) and level of government (national, regional, and local/municipal)
11.5
By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations
11.5.1
Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
11.5.2
Direct economic loss attributed to disasters in relation to global domestic product (GDP)
11.5.3
(a) Damage to critical infrastructure and (b) number of disruptions to basic services, attributed to disasters
11.6
By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
11.6.1
Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal waste generated, by cities
11.6.2
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)
11.7
11.7.1
Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
11.7.2
Proportion of persons victim of non-sexual or sexual harassment, by sex, age, disability status and place of occurrence, in the previous 12 months
11.a
Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
11.a.1
Number of countries that have national urban policies or regional development plans that (a) respond to population dynamics; (b) ensure balanced territorial development; and (c) increase local fiscal space
11.b
By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
11.b.1
Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
11.b.2
Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies
11.c
Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials
Goal 13
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
13.1
Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
13.1.1
Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
13.1.2
Number of countries that adopt and implement national disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
13.1.3
Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies
13.2
Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.2.1
Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
13.2.2
Total greenhouse gas emissions per year
13.3
Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
13.3.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
13.a
Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
13.a.1
Amounts provided and mobilized in United States dollars per year in relation to the continued existing collective mobilization goal of the $100 billion commitment through to 2025
13.b
Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities
13.b.1
Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
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
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
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
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
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
Goal 15
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
15.1
By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
15.1.1
15.1.2
15.2
By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
15.2.1
15.3
By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
15.3.1
15.4
By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
15.4.1
15.4.2
15.5
Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
15.5.1
15.6
Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed
15.6.1
15.7
Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products
15.7.1
15.8
By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species
15.8.1
15.9
By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
15.9.1
(a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 in their national biodiversity strategy and action plans and the progress reported towards these targets; and (b) integration of biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting
15.a
Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems
15.a.1
(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments
15.b
Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation
15.b.1
(a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and (b) revenue generated and finance mobilized from biodiversity-relevant economic instruments
15.c
Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities
15.c.1
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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Contact Information
Cameron, Vice President of Conservation, Island Conservation