Comoros Launches new $54 Million Initiative to Scale up Nature-Based Climate Action

The Government of the Union of Comoros has launched a major new climate resilience initiative backed by a $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $44 million in co-financing from partners including the World Bank and the French Development Agency. The investment aims to help safeguard 140,000 coastal residents by restoring, protecting and sustainably managing 6,200 hectares of mangroves, beaches and upper watersheds that make up the islands’ natural defence system.

The five-year project is being executed by the Comorian General Directorate of Environment and Forests (DGEF), in close collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The initiative’s approach — known as ecosystem-based adaptation — uses nature to reduce climate risks while strengthening food security, livelihoods and biodiversity.

As a Small Island Developing State in the Indian Ocean, Comoros is already facing higher temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and accelerating sea-level rise. With two-thirds of the population living within two kilometres of the coast, climate-induced flooding, erosion and salt-water intrusion threaten housing, agriculture and economic development.

In a speech at the launch ceremony, H.E. Abubakar Ben Mahmoud, Minister of Environment of Comoros, said: “The project is fully aligned with the ambitious vision of the Comoros Emerging Plan 2030, which places environmental sustainability and climate action at the heart of national development. Together, with our partners and our communities, we have a unique opportunity to build lasting resilience.”

To encourage ecosystem-based adaptation, eight municipal development plans will be updated through inclusive, gender-transformative processes. At the same time, 10,000 community members will be trained in Integrated Coastal Zone Management and climate-resilient planning, supported by a new participatory monitoring system to ensure community engagement and accountability.

Communities will take the lead in restoring and managing vital ecosystems, including large-scale rehabilitation of mangroves and beaches across the 6,200-hectare restoration area. These efforts will be complemented by watershed conservation to stabilise soils, enhance freshwater availability and strengthen natural resilience to climate impacts.

“With climate change, Africa remains on the frontlines: prolonged droughts, extreme flooding, coastal erosion, water insecurity and biodiversity loss,” said Fatou Ndoye, Deputy Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa. “This project is not merely technical — it is transformational. It places nature at the heart of our climate action, and communities at the centre of the solutions.”

To foster a climate-resilient Blue Economy, a dedicated accelerator platform will support 300 micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in industries such as fisheries, agroforestry and eco-tourism. Tailored micro-finance tools will incentivise climate-smart innovation and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Continuous learning will be a major aspect of the project. Knowledge exchanges, inclusive policy dialogues and gender-responsive outreach will help ensure that lessons and innovations are scaled up from local to national level — and shared across the Western Indian Ocean region.

UNEP currently supports more than 45 ecosystem-based adaptation projects, collectively aiming to restore 271,000 hectares of ecosystems and support 4.6 million people worldwide. Ecosystem-based adaptation also contributes to climate change reduction by lowering emissions linked to habitat loss and ecosystem degradation.

This story was adapted from an article originally published by UNEP. Please visit the UN team's website for more information about the UN's work in Comoros.