Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) launched at UNFCCC COP 27

Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) was launched at the COP27 Summit in Egypt to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of the mangrove forests.

Table of Contents

Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) UPSC Relevance

Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC): Mangrove Alliance for Climate is an International Initiative to save mangroves around the world. Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) is important for UPSC Prelims Exam (International Organization) and UPSC Mains Exam (International Relations).

Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) in News

Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav spoke at the Launch of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC).
Mangrove Alliance for Climate launch event was held on the side-lines of the ongoing COP 27 at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

What is Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC)?

About: Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) was launched at the COP27 Summit in Egypt to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of the mangrove forests.
- The MAC alliance will be amplified at the G20 Summit that will be held between November 15 and 16 in Bali under the presidency of Indonesia.
Participation: The launch of Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) is spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with Indonesia.
- India, Australia, Japan, Spain and Sri Lanka are the other MAC supporters.
Mandate: The MAC seeks to scale up, accelerate conservation, restoration and growing plantation efforts of mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of communities globally.
- MAC also aims to recognize the importance of these ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Importance of Mangroves- Benefits of Mangrove Forest

Mangroves are one of the most productive ecosystems of the world.
Mangroves tidal forest serves as a nursery ground for several organisms, protects the coastal erosion, sequestering the carbon and providing livelihood for millions of people besides harboring array of faunal elements in its habitat.
Mangroves are distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical region of the world and are found in 123 countries.
Mangroves are among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. They account for 3% of carbon sequestered by the world’s tropical forests.
Mangroves are the economic foundations of many tropical coastal regions.
To sustain the blue economy, it is imperative to ensure the sustainability of coastal habitats, particularly mangroves for tropical nations, at the local, regional, and international levels.
With notable adaptive features, mangroves are natural armed forces of tropical and subtropical nations.
They are the best option to fight against climate change consequences like sea levels rise and increasing frequency of natural calamities like cyclones and storm surges.

Mangroves in India

India contributes to nearly half of the total mangrove cover in South Asia.
According to the Forest Survey report 2021 released in January, mangroves cover in the country is 4,992 square km, which is 0.15 per cent of the country’s total geographical area.
- Since 2019, the cover has risen by only 17 sq km.
West Bengal has the highest percentage of mangrove cover in India, mainly because it has Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world.
- It is followed by Gujarat and Andaman, and Nicobar islands.
- Other states that have mangrove cover are Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Kerala.

UNFCCC COP 27 Summit 2022- India’s Agenda at COP27