- Long-Term Conservation Focus: Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and Oceans Finance Company (OFC) partner to advance conservation initiatives in the Galapagos.
- Four Critical Programs: Targeting marine biodiversity, marine bird conservation, sea turtle conservation, and Scalesia forest restoration.
- Significant Funding: The partnership is supported by substantial investments from CI2, unlocking an additional USD 81 million over 16 years.
- Aligned with SDGs: Initiatives support UN SDGs 8, 13, 14, 15, and 17, aiming for net positive environmental and social impacts.
Addressing Environmental Threats in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands, known for their unique biodiversity, face significant environmental threats. To tackle these challenges, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) and Oceans Finance Company (OFC) have announced a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to enhance the resilience of the archipelago to climate change through long-term conservation initiatives.
Focus Areas of the Partnership
The 16-year partnership will initially channel resources into four critical CDF research and conservation programs:
Marine Biodiversity Research
The program aims to map and monitor key diagnostic sites in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, focusing on vulnerable areas like shallow water coral reefs. Innovative technology will be used to assess the impacts of climate change and inform strategies to enhance ecosystem resilience.
Marine Bird Conservation
Targeting endemic species such as Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and waved albatross, this program seeks to understand threats like climate change and pollution. Effective management actions will be designed to protect these threatened species.
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Sea Turtle Conservation
With important feeding and nesting sites under threat, this initiative aims to identify vulnerable areas for the endangered East Pacific green turtle. Solutions will be developed to bolster their resilience against threats from tourism, marine traffic, and climate change.
Scalesia Forest Restoration
Covering about 300 ha, the Scalesia forest is vital for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The program aims to manage invasive species and implement large-scale restoration to prevent the forest’s extinction and enhance the island’s ecological health.
Financial and Strategic Support
This partnership is an outcome of Ecuador’s historic debt-for-climate conversion, facilitated by OFC. It provides vital protection for marine life and promotes sustainable fishing and tourism. The COmON Foundation and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) played crucial roles in facilitating this collaboration.
Rakan Zahawi, Executive Director of the CDF, stated:
“In addressing the pressing issues confronting the Galapagos Islands, climate change is an emergent concern. Its effects extend beyond the islands to the surrounding oceanic life and the Eastern Tropical Pacific region, with significant repercussions for life on the islands themselves. We have observed firsthand the increasing frequency and intensity of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, which bring additional threats such as ideal conditions for invasive species that harm the fragile ecosystem we strive to protect. Tackling such a complex global challenge requires sustained, long-term efforts and a focus on building resilience. We are pleased to have found in OFC a partner who recognizes the importance of taking a comprehensive, long-term approach to these issues, and who has the vision and resources to work with us in addressing them. We are very thankful to the COmON Foundation for their vision and support in making this partnership with OFC a possibility for CDF and for Galapagos.”
Erik Wandrag, Chief Executive Officer of OFC, noted:
“The impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are starting to accelerate at an alarming rate, and are clear to see in places like Galapagos. Being able to work with partners such as CDF and COmON to develop practical solutions for this at point of impact, as well as at source of origin, will enable us to expand these learnings to other places across the globe. This partnership with CDF also clearly demonstrates that the innovative complementary funding mechanism that OFC pioneered, can now be super-sized to deliver even more impact in Galapagos as well as the greater Pacific region and can be replicated in other jurisdictions to fund impact programs at scale and long-term.”
Juan Paez, Regional Head Latin America, Climate Fund Managers, said:
“The Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine environment together represent one of the most important ecosystems on Earth, delivering tremendous environmental, social and economic value. The partnership between OFC and CDF will help to protect this natural capital in the face of global declines in ocean health, preserving it for both current and future generations.”
