Axa XL pledges $1.2mn for mangrove conservation in Sierra Leone

By Rebecca Delaney

Feb 11 - (The Insurer) - Axa XL has provided a $1.2mn grant to Save the Children for a five-year initiative designed to mitigate the impact of climate change across coastal ecosystems in Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Leone Coastal Resilience Project – described as one of the largest projects to tackle climate resilience in the country – aims to enable coastal communities to plan for climate change and improve livelihoods.

It aims to reach 260,000 people directly, with a further one million people expected to benefit.

According to Axa XL, although Sierra Leone's CO2 emissions per capita is among the lowest in the world, the country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Coastal areas have already experienced rising sea levels and a greater frequency of extreme weather events.

The community-led initiative will increase food and water security, as well as enhancing the conservation and restoration of 1,500 hectares of mangrove ecosystems.

The project will also focus on improving opportunities for women and children, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Commenting on the grant, Axa XL’s global head of sustainability, Suzanne Scatliffe, said: “Responding to the risks of climate change requires going beyond technical innovation alone – we need societal-led change. Through this multi-stakeholder partnership, we are supporting climate-vulnerable communities boost resilience.”

Patrick Analo, country director at Save the Children Sierra Leone, added: “By working in collaboration with a number of co-finance partners such as Axa XL, we will have an even greater impact when delivering this important project over the next five years, empowering communities to adopt climate-resilient practices in farming, fishing, education and beyond.”

The initiative is in partnership with the Green Climate Fund, which is providing a cornerstone grant of $25mn. This is complemented by co-financing from Axa XL and other partners, including the Government of Sierra Leone’s Environment Protection Agency, Clifford Chance, Jersey Overseas Aid and the Government of Iceland.