The Australia Caribbean Coral Reef Collaboration: Managing in a changing climate

The Caribbean and Australia may seem worlds apart, but we both share the challenges of protecting our coral reefs under a changing climate.  Coral reefs are showcases of biodiversity, centrepieces of cultural identity and sources of sustainable economic opportunity.  These themes are the basis for a development partnership project, the Australia Caribbean Coral Reef Collaboration: Managing coral reefs in a changing climate.

The main goal of the initiative is to mainstream adaptation strategies for coral reefs into the sustainable development agenda of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states. Over two years (2012-2014) the program is helping to implement CARICOM's Climate Change and the Caribbean: A regional framework for achieving development resilient to climate change (2009-2015).

The collaboration brings together coral reef managers and policymakers from across the world to improve the outlook for Caribbean coral reefs in the face of climate change by: 

• sharing expertise and knowledge
• developing new ideas, tools and approaches
• implementing collaborative projects

The Australia Caribbean Coral Reef Collaboration is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australian Aid program. Implementation of the program is being led by Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) under the auspices of the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM). 

Key project partners include:

• Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, Belize
• Soufriere Marine Management Association, St Lucia
• Fisheries Division – Ministry of Agriculture, Grenada

Program activities are coordinated with other important regional programs and initiatives, including:

• CARIBSAVE
• FORCE Project
• The Nature Conservancy
• Caribbean Challenge Initiative
• Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Managers Network (CaMPAM)

Read more about the Australia Caribbean Coral Reef Collaboration.