Conservation of Tropical Coral Reefs, 1st ed. 2021
A Review of Financial and Strategic Solutions

This book critically engages with how the conservation of tropical coral reefs is financed. Beginning with the context of tropical coral reef degradation and loss, alongside an overview of tropical ecology, global environmental policy and finance, the book reviews several conservation financing instruments. These include ecotourism, debt-for-nature swaps, impact investments, and government domestic budgetary expenditures.

From the Great Barrier Reef, to the Coral Triangle, to the Mesoamerican Reef, tropical coral reef degradation and loss are serious global environmental issues, contributing to loss revenue and food insecurity for coastal communities, and species extinction. Yet, many leading companies, individuals, and governments are making a positive impact on tropical coral reef conservation through the use of conservation finance.

Conservation of Tropical Coral Reefs, using 30 case studies which span 23 countries and 6 continents, tells the history of international conservation finance and provides a variety of options for individuals, businesses, and governments to support conservation financing projects.

1. Executive Summary.- 2. The Context of Coral Reef Degradation and Loss.- 3. Coral Reef Ecology.- 4. Global Environmental Policy.- 5. International Finance.- 6. The Origins and History of Coral Reef Conservation Finance.- 7. Government Domestic Budgetary Expenditures.- 8. Conservation Easements.- 9. Government International Budgetary Expenditures.- 10. Impact Investing.- 11. Payments for Ecosystem Services.- 12. Ecotourism.- 13. Debt Conversions.- 14. Blue Procurement Models.- 15. Blue Bonds and Seascape Bonds.- 16. Additional Solutions.- 17. The Future of Coral Reef Conservation Finance.- 18. Concluding Thoughts About Conservation Finance.