March 23, 2026
Guayaquil, Ecuador (March 23, 2026) — As the planet warms and climate risks intensify, one of nature’s most powerful defenses is quietly at work along Ecuador’s coast. Mangroves—rooted in the sea—shield communities from storms, store vast amounts of carbon, and sustain the livelihoods of millions worldwide.
Conservation International Ecuador and Unilever are joining forces to implement Living Gulf: Mangroves for People, Climate, and Nature—a five-year initiative to scale up mangrove conservation and restoration in Ecuador.
The initiative aims to conserve at least 30,000 hectares of mangroves and restore 2,600 hectares, delivering long-term benefits for communities, biodiversity, and the global climate.
In Ecuador, mangroves are critical for survival. These ecosystems line more than half of the country’s coastline and support fisheries and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families. Yet, in the past 50 years, nearly 25% of Ecuador’s mangroves have been lost—mainly due to the expansion of shrimp farming—leaving coastal communities increasingly vulnerable to climate change.
“Living Gulf” will also strengthen fishers’ organizations through Sustainable Use and Custodianship Agreements (AUSCEM) and expand access to incentives such as Socio Manglar—demonstrating how private investment can amplify and scale existing public policies.
Unilever's early interest in the Living Gulf initiative helped unlock larger-scale public financing through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in coordination with the Government of Ecuador, expanding this effort into a nationwide program. Thanks to this financing, the Mangroves for Climate project is being implemented, led by CI-Ecuador in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Together, these complementary initiatives have a combined impact on more than 130,000 hectares of mangroves nationwide.
Beyond their ecological value, mangroves are a frontline solution to the climate crisis—protecting coastlines from floods, securing food systems, and storing “irrecoverable carbon” that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Protecting them is not only an environmental priority—it is an urgent economic and social imperative.
“At the heart of Living Gulf are the communities who have protected mangroves for generations. By strengthening their leadership, providing resources, and supporting sustainable practices, this initiative elevates them as key leaders and partners in delivering nature-based solutions that safeguard ecosystems, store carbon, and build resilient coastal futures. Carolina Rosero, Vice President and Executive Director, Conservation International Ecuador.
The Living Gulf will:
- Be implemented across eight municipalities in the Gulf of Guayaquil: Arenillas, El Guabo, Machala, Santa Rosa, Guayaquil, Durán, Balao, and Naranjal, prioritizing traditional mangrove-dependent communities.
- Establish fifteen mangrove nurseries producing 1.2 million seedlings and directly benefiting around 3,000 people.
- Promote women’s leadership and aim to train 300 women, support community enterprises, and create 350 local jobs.
- Work toward the conservation of 30,000 hectares of mangroves to secure the storage of more than 4.8 million tonnes of irrecoverable carbon.
- Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 13, 14, and 15) and the Global Biodiversity Framework, demonstrating how public-private collaboration can scale nature-based solutions.
- Contribute to Unilever’s global commitments on nature protection and restoration, showcasing how corporate action can drive measurable, nature-positive impact.
At Unilever, we believe in a growth model that creates shared value—not only for the business, but also for society, communities, and the environment. This partnership represents much more than a one-time contribution: it is our way of being present in the country and of investing in Ecuador, its talent, and its ability to develop solutions that matter to the world.” Marcos Dueñas, General Manager of Unilever Ecuador
The launch of this partnership was celebrated at an event today in Guayaquil that brought together high-level authorities, including the Minister of Environment and Energy, Inés Manzano, alongside business leaders, local governments, NGOs, and community representatives. It served as a key platform to showcase how public-private partnerships can unlock investment and accelerate climate action in Ecuador.
Focused on the Gulf of Guayaquil—home to 80% of the country’s mangroves and a carbon reserve of more than 440 million tonnes—the project will strengthen community-led management, restore degraded ecosystems, and promote sustainable use of mangrove resources.
The high-level panel featured business and government leaders discussing the growing role of the private sector in biodiversity conservation and climate action, and how these priorities are being integrated into business strategies. In parallel, a dialogue with leaders from mangrove stewardship associations shared experiences from the ground and outlined their priorities to secure mangroves' long-term protection.
- Photos of the event are available for media use here: https://bit.ly/4byn16X
Press contact:
María Belén Vallejo
Communications Manager
Conservation International Ecuador
mvallejo@conservation.org