L’Oréal supports reef regeneration

Nature repair markets are emerging as an effective way to finance the necessary acceleration and scaling of conservation activities to meet the global challenges ahead. If well-designed and backed by rigorous science, these markets can give private and corporate investors the opportunity to deliver on their ESG goals by generating independently verified environmental, socio-economic and cultural benefits.

As well as unlocking significant new funding to help protect biodiversity, the partnership will also support critical reef interventions, including the targeted deployment of two million heat-tolerant corals on the Great Barrier Reef by 2030. Supporting tourism, ecological and cultural values, this deployment is expected to lead to direct and indirect economic benefits in excess of $100 million.

“Coral reefs, are one of the most valuable yet vulnerable ecosystems on the planet,” says Anna Marsden, Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s managing director. “Without our help, these beautiful underwater cities and the animals that call them home will not withstand the impacts of climate change.

“Our partnership with L’Oréal will deliver game-changing innovation in how we measure, protect and restore marine biodiversity, bringing hope to the future of coral reefs and the 1 billion people who rely on them.

L’Oréal Group chief corporate responsibility officer Alexandra Palt adds: “At L’Oréal Group we believe our responsibility goes beyond our own sustainable transformation. Coral reefs are essential for marine ecosystems preservation, and in the protection of coastal communities affected by climate-driven disasters.

“Through the L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration’s investment in the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, we are financing innovative models to help build resilience for these vital ecosystems, and to support new approaches to their restoration at scale.”

The partnership will fund an integral component of the world-leading Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), a collaboration of Australia’s leading science organisations and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help coral reefs globally withstand the impacts of climate change.

This large-scale research and development program was established and supported by the Reef Trust Partnership between the Australian Government and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

“In parallel with a drastic and rapid reduction in global emissions, it’s imperative that we develop solutions that protect existing coral reefs and their biodiversity from the escalating impacts of climate change,” says Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program executive director Dr Cedric Robillot.

“L’Oréal’s investment will enable us to lead the way by creating the building blocks of a global reef restoration industry, underpinned by sustainable financing, that will bring long-term benefits to the world’s reef communities and investors committed to making a difference.”

barrierreef.org
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