Establishing marine protected areas in a changing climate

Posted Jan 19, 2026    Updated at Jan 09, 2026    By admin    Views 24

Tag Best practices Papua New Guinea English A1. Thriving Coral Reefs, Mangroves, Seagrass Beds Solomon Islands Philippines Timor-Leste Malaysia Indonesia Marine Protected Area (MPA) C1. Good Governance, Effective Leadership & Partnerships

This technical report from the IUCN WCPA Series provides a strategic framework for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) that are resilient to the escalating impacts of climate change, such as warming waters, ocean acidification, and rising sea levels. Aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal to protect 30% of the Earth’s oceans by 2030, the document emphasizes that conservation is only meaningful if it remains effective in a future where environmental conditions will differ significantly from the past. The framework is built upon four foundational principles that guide managers to understand environmental and social changes through bioclimatic modeling, strengthen adaptation by designing flexible boundaries that account for species shifts, and ensure equity by actively involving Indigenous peoples and local communities in the planning process. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific data, the report aims to generate holistic co-benefits, including blue carbon storage and enhanced food security. Ultimately, it serves as a comprehensive guide for government agencies and practitioners to move beyond static conservation models toward adaptive, multi-scale management that safeguards both biodiversity and human well-being in an uncertain climatic future.