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The fact sheet defines 'nature-positive' as halting and reversing nature loss from 2020 levels by 2030. It argues that shifting to sustainable business models can unlock US$10.1 trillion in annual opportunities by 2030. WWF focuses on four key sectors: seafood, where it partners with nearly 80 companies covering 30% of global wild capture harvest; marine renewables, which are essential for decarbonization but must protect habitats; shipping, which handles 90% of world trade but threatens marine mammals; and coastal development, which often degrades ecosystems. The approach combines nature-positive strategies with blue financing to shift capital away from harmful activities toward sustainable pathways.

WWF is working with financial institutions to redirect capital from destructive activities toward sustainable ocean-based outcomes. Key efforts include developing science-driven criteria for seafood financing, launching the Fisheries Improvement Fund to catalyze $100 million by 2030, and exploring innovative financial products like blended finance and debt restructuring to support coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

The Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF), developed by WWF and Finance Earth, aims to scale the transition to sustainable fisheries by providing consistent, upfront funding for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs). The fund addresses barriers such as inconsistent funding and low private sector participation by implementing a repayment mechanism based on the volume of fish purchased through FIPs. Supported by industry leaders including Cargill, Skretting, and the Walmart Foundation, the FIF is launching a pilot project to create a replicable global blueprint for blue finance.

WWF describes an integrated approach to ocean conservation that combines nature-positive business practices with blue finance to shift capital away from harmful activities and toward sustainable marine investments. The strategy targets the seafood, marine renewables, coastal development, and shipping sectors to reduce their environmental footprints and implement green and blue infrastructure solutions. This effort is part of a broader goal to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030, supporting the resilience of marine ecosystems and the global blue economy.

The document highlights that the blue economy is valued at US$24 trillion, but faces potential losses of up to US$8.4 trillion over 15 years due to mismanagement. WWF advocates for shifting mainstream finance away from harmful activities and toward sustainable investments in seafood, marine renewables, coastal development, and shipping. The approach emphasizes moving beyond short-term philanthropy toward innovative public and private capital mechanisms, such as Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), to support nature-positive business models.

The report tracks the sustainability commitments of major South African seafood retailers and suppliers for 2020-21, noting a general decline in progress due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights the vulnerability of coastal populations and fisheries to ocean warming and acidification, while advocating for nature-based 'blue carbon' solutions. Consumer data from 2021-22 indicates a rising demand for sustainable seafood, with hake, calamari, and prawns remaining the most consumed items in South African restaurants.

The document argues that offshore seismic surveying is fundamentally damaging to marine ecosystems and contradicts South Africa's COP26 commitments to transition from hydrocarbons to renewables. The authors highlight legal deficiencies in the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) that allow these surveys to bypass full environmental impact assessments and criticize the outdated Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) used for Shell Oil's surveys off the Transkei Coast. They call for a halt to all planned surveys, a review of EIA regulations, and the commissioning of a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the South African Exclusive Economic Zone.

The report details Kenya's progress in climate adaptation and mitigation from July 2019 to June 2020. Key achievements include the distribution of climate information services to over 2.5 million people, the accreditation of Kenya Commercial Bank with the Green Climate Fund, and the climate-proofing of over 3,000 km of roads. However, implementation was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic, a desert locust invasion, and weak coordinating units at the county level. The document recommends ring-fencing climate finance and adopting a biennial reporting cycle to improve efficiency.

The GFCR Investment Window is a proposed $500 million fund, with $125 million requested from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a first-loss equity position. Managed by Pegasus Capital Advisors, the fund targets 'climate refugia'—reefs most likely to survive warming oceans—by investing in sustainable ocean production, ecotourism, and sustainable infrastructure to reduce local stressors. The program aims to protect 29,000 hectares of reef, create over 12,700 direct jobs, and benefit over 35 million people indirectly. It utilizes a dual-window model, pairing the Investment Window with a Grant Window to provide technical assistance and pipeline incubation.

The report describes the 'Blue Acceleration,' a phenomenal increase in the diversity and scale of ocean-based industries since 2000. It argues that while the ocean is viewed as an economic frontier, the benefits flow disproportionately to a small number of powerful states and corporations, leaving SIDS and LDCs exposed to risks. The document details the environmental and social impacts of sectors like offshore wind, deep-sea mining, and industrial fishing, while highlighting the emergence of interconnected 'Anthropocene risks' including climate-driven regime shifts and stranded assets. It concludes by exploring the role of sustainable finance in redirecting the ocean economy toward equity and stewardship.

The report examines how gender norms and power dynamics influence vulnerability and adaptive capacity in the ocean economy of SIDS and coastal LDCs. It highlights the undervalued roles of women in small-scale fisheries and tourism and analyzes how climate change, market shifts, and COVID-19 disproportionately affect women due to socio-economic structures. The document advocates for the systematic collection of sex-disaggregated data, the implementation of gender-transformative policies, and the alignment of international finance, such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and climate risk insurance, with gender equality goals to enhance overall community resilience.

The report analyzes how SIDS and LDCs are disproportionately vulnerable to coupled ocean risks, including sea-level rise, ocean warming, and macroeconomic shocks. It emphasizes the need for context-specific resilience strategies, the integration of indigenous knowledge, and the deployment of novel financial tools to support a sustainable ocean economy.

The report examines gender inequality in the African maritime sector, highlighting that current frameworks often equate gender equality solely with women's inclusion. It advocates for an intersectional analysis—considering race, age, and class—to address the systemic exclusion of youth and other marginalised groups. The document reviews African Union maritime instruments, finds a lack of implementation and data, and provides examples of gender-sensitive initiatives in fisheries and coastal management.

The project aims to enhance the enabling environment for the Micronesia Challenge 2030, focusing on national policy alignment, regional coordination via the Micronesia Challenge Regional Office (MCRO), and knowledge management. It addresses threats such as marine habitat degradation, overfishing of coastal stocks, and climate change impacts. Key activities include establishing national working groups to develop strategic plans, strengthening MCRO's operational capacity, and disseminating findings through the IW:LEARN network. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with a total cost of $5,833,491.

The document examines the challenges of integrating scientific evidence into policymaking for ocean governance, specifically within the Western Indian Ocean region. It highlights the role of the Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA in bridging these gaps and advocates for a shift from linear communication to interactive, dialogic networks. The brief emphasizes the importance of trust, the need for institutional reforms in researcher performance evaluation, and the adoption of strategies to increase the salience, credibility, and legitimacy of scientific information to support evidence-based decision-making.

The document identifies a history of disappointing outcomes in private sector partnerships within the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, often due to the private sector being viewed solely as a funding source and a general lack of trust between stakeholders. It argues that meaningful partnerships must be based on mutual benefit, clearly defined roles, and a recognition of the diverse nature of private sector actors, ranging from micro-enterprises to multinational firms. The briefing supports the adoption of the Strategic Framework for Private Sector Partnership for the Western Indian Ocean Region and suggests exploring a regional platform to facilitate innovation and coordination between government, private sector, and civil society, potentially modeled after the Consortium for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO-C).

The policy brief outlines a framework for cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) to leverage green transitions for sustainable growth and climate resilience. It identifies six key areas for action: energy transitions, the circular economy, trade, agricultural adaptation, climate diplomacy, and financial instruments. The authors emphasize that while the EU aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, African priorities focus on poverty reduction and adaptation. The brief recommends that the EU avoid creating new trade barriers, such as carbon border taxes for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and instead invest in green infrastructure, sustainable waste management, and grant-based adaptation funding to ensure a socially inclusive transition.

The report identifies significant opportunities for green finance in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small with only six deals to date, there is high potential for expansion in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water and waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and regional stock exchanges in driving this growth, while providing a guide for issuers to align with international standards like the Climate Bonds Taxonomy.

The report analyzes the green finance landscape in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small—with only six green bond issuances as of June 2020—there is significant potential for growth in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water, and waste management. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the leadership of Costa Rica in climate ambition. The document provides a step-by-step guide for green financing and explores emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture and the blue economy, while discussing the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the 2020 hurricane season.

The Vanuatu GCF Country Program outlines a strategic approach to climate transformation, identifying key vulnerabilities, policy gaps, and a prioritised portfolio of project ideas. It emphasizes a shift from top-down interventions to demand-driven, community-led solutions involving the private sector and civil society. The program categorizes project ideas into Pipeline A (high priority for 2019-2020) and Pipeline B, covering sectors such as water security, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, and coastal protection, with a total estimated grant requirement of over 710 million USD.