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The ocean and coastal ecosystems are critical for global biodiversity, food security, and carbon sequestration, but they face severe threats from climate change and pollution. Despite an estimated annual funding need of USD 175 billion to USD 459 billion to safeguard the ocean, only USD 11 billion has been invested via philanthropy and Official Development Assistance over the last decade. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to close this gap by creating enabling environments, catalysing innovation, de-risking projects to mobilise private finance, and strengthening national financial institutions through tools like blue bonds and debt swaps. Current GCF initiatives include the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, targeting 17 countries with a USD 500 million project value, and the Blue Action Fund, focusing on coastal resilience in the Western Indian Ocean region.

The Strategic Collaborative Fund (SCF), launched in 2018 by SEI Asia with support from Sida, aims to enhance the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and regional collaboration. The programme focuses on transboundary environmental policy development using a rights-based approach that prioritizes gender and social equality. Its activities include inter-regional cooperation with China and Europe, regional cooperation within Asia involving the private sector, and the provision of grants for initiatives contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recent featured events have addressed eco-city construction and marine ecosystems in China, sustainable consumption and production in Japan, climate change adaptation and indigenous knowledge in Indonesia, and sustainable agriculture in Laos.

The document identifies six primary threats to the ocean: acidification, warming, hypoxia, sea level rise, pollution, and overuse of resources. It argues that these stressors often act synergistically, increasing the risk of catastrophic tipping points. The authors propose a shift from traditional cost-benefit analysis to an insurance-based risk model to better account for high-impact, low-probability events. Economically, the text estimates that the cost of damage under a high-emission scenario could reach USD 1,980 billion by 2100, suggesting that rapid carbon abatement could save over a trillion dollars per year by the end of the century. The Pacific Ocean is presented as a critical case study for coordinated regional action.

The report argues that the ocean is a victim of global market failure, where the true value of its ecosystems and services is ignored. It identifies six primary threats—ocean acidification, warming, hypoxia, sea level rise, pollution, and overexploitation of resources—and emphasizes that these stressors often interact synergistically. The authors quantify the 'cost of inaction' by comparing low and high emission scenarios, estimating that avoidable damages could exceed US$ 1 trillion per year by 2100. The document advocates for a shift from traditional cost-benefit analysis to a precautionary, insurance-based risk model and calls for integrated, cross-scale ocean governance to build ecosystem resilience.

The report 'Reefs at Risk' assesses the global status of coral reefs, finding that 58% are potentially threatened by human activities. It identifies overexploitation and coastal development as the primary drivers of risk, with Southeast Asia being the most threatened region. The study utilizes a map-based indicator to flag high-risk areas, particularly biodiversity hot spots, and evaluates the current state of marine protected areas (MPAs).

The guide advises consumers to avoid purchasing items made from endangered species, such as beluga caviar, ivory, rhino horn, shahtoosh, pangolin and sea turtle leather, big cat furs, and tortoiseshell. It highlights the illegal nature of these trades and the ecological threats they pose, including the extinction of the Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon and the poaching of over 1 million pangolins over a decade. For certain items like exotic pets, coral, crocodile leather, and rare succulents, the guide recommends extreme caution, urging buyers to verify legality, permits, and sustainable sourcing to avoid supporting illegal wild-harvesting in regions such as Mexico and South Africa.

The leaf sheep (Costasiella kuroshimae) is a rice-sized sea slug found in the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. It is notable for its ability to perform kleptoplasty, stealing chloroplasts from algae to partially generate energy from sunlight. These slugs use cerata for energy storage and camouflage, and rhinophores to sense their environment. As grazers of Avrainvillea sp. algae, they contribute to marine biodiversity and provide scientific insights into symbiosis and photosynthesis.

The document highlights five animal species—the monarch butterfly, emperor penguin, tiger, puffin, and clown fish—detailing their physical characteristics, behaviors, and habitats. It specifically notes that climate change reduces food availability for monarch butterflies and, along with habitat loss, poses risks to emperor penguins.

The document distinguishes 'true seals' (Phocidae) from 'eared seals' (Otariidae), noting that sea lions have external ear flaps, rotatable hind flippers for walking on land, and loud vocalizations, whereas seals have ear holes, move by scooting on their bellies, and are generally quieter. It highlights the ecological role of pinnipeds as mid-level predators and prey for apex predators. The text identifies climate change, overfishing, entanglement in fishing gear, habitat loss, and pollution as primary threats to these species, specifically mentioning the risk to ice-dependent seals due to shrinking sea ice.

WWF Colombia is working to expand and manage the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), notably through the Herencia Colombia (HECO) initiative. Launched in June 2022, HECO aims to secure $245 million to protect nearly 29 million hectares of landscapes and seascapes, supporting Colombia's 30X30 goal. A specific GCF project under HECO focuses on climate-resilient management for 5.72 million hectares, benefiting over 329,000 people directly and approximately 16.9 million people indirectly through ecosystem-based adaptation.

WWF Colombia is supporting the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) through policy formulation, financial sustainability, and governance. A central pillar of this effort is the 'Herencia Colombia' (HECO) program, which aims to secure $245 million to protect 29 million hectares of land and sea, contributing to Colombia's 30x30 goal. Within HECO, a GCF-funded project focuses on climate-resilient landscape management across 5.72 million hectares to sequester carbon, regulate water, and improve the resilience of local communities.

The document outlines 50 specific actions individuals can take to protect the planet, categorized into seven themes: Climate, Forests, Oceans, Freshwater, Plastics, Food, and Wildlife. It emphasizes the link between nature conservation and the prevention of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, arguing that protecting ecosystems such as the Amazon and coral reefs stabilizes the climate and reduces disease vectors. Practical recommendations include switching to CFL bulbs, reducing car use, choosing FSC and RSPO certified products, minimizing food waste, and advocating for a 100% clean energy economy through federal legislators.