Hope for Reefs! New Study Pinpoints Climate-Resilient Corals Globally

A significant breakthrough in marine conservation offers a glimmer of hope for our oceans: a new study has identified nearly 165,922 square kilometers of coral reefs across 71 countries and 100 territories that possess the strongest potential to withstand the ongoing climate crisis.

This crucial research, a collaboration between the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Macquarie University, was launched in Kenya and presented at the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ with support from the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative. It dramatically expands upon the original 2018 “50 reefs assessment,” which was the first global effort to pinpoint coral reef systems most likely to endure climate change. The new study triples the number of identified climate-resilient reef areas, adding 30 new countries and 54 territories and jurisdictions, revealing a far greater opportunity for coral reef persistence than previously understood.

Despite this optimistic discovery, the study highlights a critical gap: only 28% of these identified climate-resilient reefs currently fall within protected or conserved areas. Emily Darling, WCS Coral Conservation director and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this finding, stating, “Coral reefs are often framed as ecosystems beyond saving, but this research shows that there is a global set of reefs that have the potential to survive and recover from the climate crisis.” She urged for immediate and enhanced protection for these vital marine habitats.

The research indicates that over half (61%) of these resilient reefs are concentrated in five key regions: Australia, the Bahamas, Cuba, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In a promising development, Australia, the Bahamas, and Indonesia signed the High-Level Commitment on Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs in June 2025, committing to their protection. The study also identifies new areas of climate-resilient reefs in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean, including locations like Belize, Panama, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which were not recognized in earlier assessments.

An interactive map is now available, visually depicting the locations of these climate-resilient reefs, including those situated between India and Sri Lanka. This comprehensive assessment provides an invaluable tool for conservationists and policymakers alike, guiding efforts to safeguard the coral reefs that have the best chance of survival against the impacts of global warming.

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