From Coast to Community: Local Conservation at the Heart of Climate Action
The future of climate and biodiversity action lies in the hands of local communities — from the mangrove guardians of Ecuador’s coasts to municipal leaders managing subnational protected areas across the globe. Yet their work often remains invisible in international negotiations and national policy frameworks. Locally led conservation and ocean-climate initiatives are already advancing adaptation, restoring ecosystems, and translating global commitments into real, measurable impact — but they need stronger recognition, resources, and integration into global systems.
This session highlights community-driven coastal and ocean governance as essential to the joint nature-climate agenda. It will explore how traditional knowledge and digital innovation — from participatory monitoring to AI-powered tools — are reshaping conservation, blue carbon management, and ocean-based solutions. Together, we’ll ask: what would it look like if climate and biodiversity frameworks truly started from the local level and the coastline outward?
Speakers
Harveet Singh Purewal — Oxford master’s student and YOUNGO Nature Working Group policy co-lead, advocating for nature-based solutions and equitable global collaboration at the nature–climate nexus.
Leonardo Letelier — CEO and Founder of Sitawi Finance for Good, pioneering social finance in Brazil. A Synergos Senior Fellow and Schwab/Folha Social Entrepreneur of 2021, with past experience at McKinsey and an MBA from Harvard.
Muhammad Ibrahim — Program Manager at Yanayi Haki Afriqya, climate diplomacy participant (COP26–28) and author advancing adaptation, justice, and resilience through policy, training, and research in Africa.
Rahel Guggenbühl — Founder & CEO of reilo., a nature-fintech venture creating financial innovations that drive ecosystem restoration and social impact across Tanzania, Brazil, and Switzerland.
Riccardo Magini — Principal Consultant at E Co., specializing in climate policy and finance. With 25+ years of experience, he designs readiness strategies and investment plans that turn global goals into country-led action.
What to Expect
Spotlight local conservation – Hear from community leaders in Ecuador and beyond managing mangroves, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems for resilience and livelihoods.
Bridge scales of governance – Explore how subnational systems (like ACUS municipal and provincial protected areas) contribute to national and global biodiversity targets.
Commit to the ocean – Examine the ocean-climate nexus, blue economy innovation, and the governance of ocean-based mitigation and adaptation.
Integrate knowledge systems – Discover how traditional stewardship and digital innovation — from local mapping to AI-driven data — are empowering communities to co-manage ecosystems.
Finance what works – Discuss models for climate and conservation finance that directly fund community-led and ocean-based nature solutions.
Why Join?
Reframe local conservation as a cornerstone of global climate and biodiversity goals.
Learn from real-world ocean and coastal adaptation models that center justice and community.
Explore actionable pathways for integrating subnational systems into national commitments.
Leave with strategies for connecting traditional knowledge, new technology, and equitable finance.
Who Should Attend?
Coastal and community leaders advancing locally led conservation.
Policymakers and funders supporting ocean-climate and blue economy initiatives.
Researchers and innovators developing participatory and AI-powered conservation tools.
Anyone working at the intersection of nature, climate, and community governance.