Climate change leads to: A warming ocean: causes thermal stress that contributes to coral bleaching and infectious disease. Sea level rise: may lead to increases in sedimentation for reefs located near land-based sources of sediment. Sedimentation runoff can lead to the smothering of coral.

UNEP provides evidence-based data to inform policy decisions, collaborates with sectors for low-carbon transitions, provides climate finance mechanisms and aids countries in adaptation and mitigation efforts.

ICRI is the only initiative of its kind. It unites the global coral community and raises awareness of the need to protect coral reefs. The initiative also supports countries and organizations to guide nature-positive policies to protect coral reefs better.

Created in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), IPCC reports are a key input into international climate change negotiations. As an intergovernmental entity, IPCC is made up of members of the United Nations or WMO, totalling 195 countries.