RT null T1 The Coral Reef Economy: The Business Case for Investment in the Protection, Preservation and Enhancement of Coral Reef Health A1 United Nations Environment Programme, A1 Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit, A1 International Coral Reef Initiative, K1 coral reef K1 ecosystem K1 wetland K1 afforestation K1 soil erosion K1 vegetation YR 2018 FD 2018 LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/26694 UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/26694 NO Proactive policies to protect and restore the health of the world’s coral reefs could generate a substantial economic gain, provide important societal benefits, including to local communities, and help deliver the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This study presents new analysis of the value, costs and benefits of the coral reef economy to highlight that shifting the trajectory of coral reef health from one of continuing decline towards a healthy state could unlock tens of billions of dollars in additional value. The findings show that this shift can be largely achieved through strategic interventions using available tools and methods, indicating that the goal of closing the gap between the forecast benefits of a healthy reef and the current trend towards coral reef degradation is within our reach. DS UN Environment Document Repository RD Sep 16, 2026