Mangroves and UNFCCC COP31 Entry Points and Recommendations
-
Coasts & Deltas
Ahead of the UN climate conference COP31 (Antalya, Türkiye, 9–20 November 2026), this policy brief from the Global Mangrove Alliance Policy Working Group identifies where mangroves have the greatest traction in the UNFCCC process and sets out recommendations for Parties.
The brief highlights that the central challenge is closing the gap between mangrove commitments and implementation. While many countries have strengthened mangrove targets in their NDC 3.0 submissions, delivery depends on robust baseline data, clear institutional mandates, secured community tenure, and adequate finance. Examples from Panama, Honduras, Cambodia, Kenya, Jamaica and The Gambia illustrate how countries and communities are moving from commitment to action.
The brief provides detailed recommendations for Parties to advance mangrove outcomes at COP31 by:
- Strengthening NDC implementation and investment planning
- Securing a robust process for the Belém Adaptation Indicators under GGA Target 9d
- Advancing the ocean and coastal resilience agenda
- Safeguarding nature and blue carbon under Article 6
- Embedding mangroves in the second Global Stocktake (GST2) from the outset
The brief calls on Parties to prioritise translating mangrove targets into monitoring and financing plans, to involve community-based organisations as funded partners, to refine the adaptation indicators, to safeguard nature and community rights in carbon markets, and to embed mangroves across all GST2 pillars from the outset.
The recommendations were developed by the Global Mangrove Alliance Policy Working Group, consisting of IUCN, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Wetlands International, Climate High-Level Champions Team, The Pew Charitable Trust, Landesa, Sankandi Youth Development Association.
Susanna Tol
