Protecting the ocean for local economic prosperity

The protection and restoration of marine ecosystems require a fundamental shift in how conservation areas are identified, financed, and managed. Despite the ocean’s critical role in biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic stability, marine and coastal ecosystems remain vastly unprotected. Traditional conservation approaches often lack financial sustainability, exclude Indigenous governance models, and fail to leverage emerging technologies that can optimize conservation planning and investment.

This session will explore an innovative, data-driven approach that integrates scientific insights, Indigenous and local community leadership, and financial modeling to accelerate the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other ocean conservation measures. By combining advanced spatial analysis, biodiversity valuation, and investment scenario modeling, this approach enables governments, investors, and communities to make more informed conservation decisions while ensuring long-term financial viability.

Key elements will be explored:
– Indigenous Knowledge & Practices – Conservation finance must be rooted in local governance to be effective. By incorporating and respecting traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous stewardship into conservation modeling, this approach ensures that marine protection is culturally aligned, socially just, and ecologically sound. Community-led governance structures play a central role in decision-making, ensuring equitable benefit-sharing and long-term conservation impact.
– Financing Coastal & Marine Conservation – One of the biggest barriers to ocean conservation is the lack of financial data and investment-grade conservation plans. This methodology reduces risk for investors by providing data-backed conservation scenarios, identifying high-priority protection zones, and aligning investments with policy frameworks. It enhances the financial viability of MPAs and connects ocean conservation efforts to global climate finance mechanisms.

Through case studies from Latin America and the Caribbean, this session will highlight how a strategic, technology-enhanced, and community-driven approach is transforming marine conservation finance. Speakers will discuss real-world applications of data-driven decision-making in conservation, its potential to mobilize capital at scale, and the critical role of Indigenous leadership in ocean governance.

By combining financial innovation, traditional knowledge, and science-based conservation, this session will showcase a replicable model for ocean protection that ensures both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.