ICRS Plan of Action
The International Coral Reef Society promotes the acquisition and dissemination of scientific knowledge to secure coral reefs for future generations. The Society declares its commitment to act on that knowledge with this official Plan of Action.
ICRS Will:
1) Proactively promote science-based decision making and coral reef protection
- sharing the scientific evidence through in-person visits to government officials and agencies, and letter writing campaigns
- supporting ICRS Officers/Councilors promote sound scientific evidence at local, regional, federal, and international events where policies and decisions are developed that affect coral reefs (e.g., ICRI, UN meetings, Biodiversity CoP)
- contributing to the development and implementation of relevant international agreements
2) Reduce its carbon footprint
- Make ICRS-supported events carbon neutral by prioritizing emissions reductions and using renewable energy sources, while offsetting emissions where necessary.
- Starting with ICRS 2024, live-stream at least 50% of all sessions to facilitate remote attendance and presentation.
- Keep our International Coral Reef Symposia to once every 4 years.
- Support regional conferences which will have a lower carbon-footprint cost than large international meetings
3) Formalize partnerships with other science-based coral reef societies and organizations to coordinate action and amplify our collective voice
- Disseminate good science
- Increase coral reef resilience though evidence-based management
- Reduce carbon emissions
4) Encourage ICRS members and supporters to take the Pledge for Coral Reefs (#pledge4reefs)
- Promote policies and practices in your own country that support healthy reefs.
- Reduce your carbon and environmental footprints
- Promote education and awareness of coral reefs and their conservation.
5) Support fellowships in science communication
