Climate and environment

In the coastal belt of Raigad, AKAHAKAH website India develops evidence-based models using community-centered and tech-based approaches to adaptation that inform policy aligned with national and state action plans for climate change. AKAH combats climate change through strategic plantation of mangroves, nature’s frontline defenders. An innovative approach harnesses cuttingedge ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) technology, employing an array of sensors to monitor the growth of mangrove saplings. Real-time data analysis optimizes their nurturing environment, ensuring resilience and survival.

Having already planted 300,000 mangroves and 20,000 fruit-bearing trees – providing over 2,000 families with alternative, climate-resilient livelihood opportunities – the program aims to reach 35,000 direct beneficiaries and approximately 225,000 indirect beneficiaries. A further 175,000 mangroves will be planted and 10 high-technology IoT sensors installed for mangrove growth monitoring, leading to an estimated 1,500 tons CO₂ sequestered.

Ethiopia is experiencing a loss of forests due to natural resource degradation, loss of biodiversity and climate change. National socio-economic development gains are being compromised by these impacts. Farm AfricaFarm Africa website’s environmental and climate resilience work in Ethiopia’s Bale Eco-region combats this with resource management improvements and enhanced pastoral community livelihoods.

UBS Optimus Foundation support is helping to transform the lowland community by taking an integrated approach to rangeland management that builds community resilience to climate extremes and economic shocks. The program protects biodiversity and mitigates climate change through community led natural resource management, support for women in enterprise, training and capacity building. In 2023, this program protected 450 hectares of land and

restored a further 100 hectares, while converting 3 hectares to sustainable agroforestry. Four women’s village saving and credit groups were organized, providing support for a total of 100 women. Training on sustainable livestock and/or rangeland management was provided to 215 farmers and community members.

Old growth forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. The Făgăraș Mountains in Romania are unmatched in Europe for their natural forests with about 10% pristine systems. These forests are essential in mitigating climate change, providing a huge carbon reservoir. Additionally, rural communities around Făgăraș Mountains are experiencing out-migration due to lack of economic opportunities. To conserve biodiversity and support economic development, a landscape approach is needed. FCCFCC website’s approach in Romania is unique, combining conservation, ecological education, employment opportunities, and economic development based on conservation and climate change mitigation.

UBS Optimus Foundation support for the program over the next three years will contribute to the conservation of 3,500 hectares of old growth forest, and restoration of 250 hectares of grassland and forest. The funding will support 31 local enterprises in business development plans and/or certification, and benefit over 800 people in the local area per annum, including over 300 children receiving ecological education and a junior ranger program.

Deforestation in tropical countries is responsible for almost 10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, many of these countries are being negatively impacted by climate change and urgently need financing to support resilience and adaptation. Carbon credits could be an effective way to support rural areas while also preventing loss of forests and mitigating climate change.

Village Climate Solutions will help more than 60 villages in Tanzania generate carbon credits by improving the protection of more than 220,000 hectares of forests. Over the next 12 years, more than USD 20 million in carbon credit revenue is anticipated to flow to villages to improve access to post-primary education, agricultural yields, and social services for more than 120,000 people. The UBS Optimus Foundation’s early-stage grant is supporting initial project development. Once the program generates carbon credits, the project will be self-sustaining and funding will flow into communities to cover operational costs and ensure forest protection.

The Mediterranean basin is a climate-risk hotspot with increasingly frequent marine heat waves, droughts and coastal floodings. Yet less than 9% of the Mediterranean Sea is officially under protection. The Pelagos InitiativePelagos website was launched by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in partnership with WWF, IUCN and the Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas Network to support activities that protect, conserve and promote the Pelagos Sanctuary across France, Monaco and Italy - the first cross-border marine protected area (MPA) in the Mediterranean.

UBS Optimus Foundation support in 2023 helped to catalyze further funding to scale up impact and increase attention on crucial climate mitigation and adaptation interventions. Five organizations were selected to receive EUR 1 million: Plan Bleu, Politecnico di Milano (DICA), Portofino MPA (Consortium of Management), Small Islands Organisation (SMILO), and Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS). Impacts will include enhanced blue economy sustainability for tourism, comprehensive blue carbon ecosystem mapping, strengthened marine mammal monitoring and networking of small island stakeholders to promote best practices.

The Selous is Africa’s largest and oldest protected area. Despite its protected status, wildlife has been decimated through climate change, unsustainable land use and rampant poaching. In 2019, the Tanzanian government designated two thirds of the Selous as the Nyerere National Park. Six Rivers AfricaSix Rivers Africa website works with the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, the Tanzania National Parks Authority, the private sector and local communities to support development of a sustainable wildlife economy. The team establishes camps to conduct detailed research, while providing local communities with skills development, employment opportunities and support.

During the first year, 4900 km² was placed under enhanced protection and sustainable management, with a research camp built and equipped and 900 hours of training provided for researchers. Baseline biodiversity audits and eDNA aquatic water studies are underway. Biannual wildlife censuses are being carried out using aerial support, enabling consistent monitoring of wildlife numbers. Fifty jobs were created and this is expected to increase in the following years.

Over three billion people rely on protein from oceans and 500 million people depend on oceans for their livelihoods, yet 60% of marine ecosystems globally are degraded. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be a solution but only 7% of oceans are covered by MPAs and two thirds of them are largely ineffective due to lack of enforcement and funding. Blue Allianceblue Alliance website takes over the management of MPAs with the goal of managing them sustainably through revenues from ecotourism, sustainable aquaculture and carbon credits.

The UBS Optimus Foundation awarded Blue Alliance’s project in the Philippines an impact loan plus a grant to measure the impact metrics, which are linked to the interest payments of the loan. The early-stage project also secured significant grant funding as well as more senior debt from an investor. In 2023, Blue Alliance has managed to expand from the original 5,200 hectares to more than 100,000 hectares across 16 different MPAs in the West of the Philippines and successfully increased fish biomass in the existing MPAs.