Why coastal communities?
Approximately 200 people worldwide depend on coastal fisheries, directly or indirectly for their livelihoods. This thin 12km band of ocean is home to over 70% of the ocean's biodiversity and critical for communities and ecosystem health.
The ocean is under enormous pressure. Climate change, overfishing, pollution, and other human activity is leading to warming ocean temperatures and acidification, which is in turn leading to biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, shifting migratory patterns, and other challenges that directly impact the long-term viability of coastal fisheries.
Why local governments?
Mayors and local governments in coastal areas are on the frontlines of climate change and environmental degradation. Their proximity to these challenges and their constituents, gives them the urgency and ability to deliver practical solutions.
Coastal 500 helps accelerate and amplify their leadership, translating local action into global impact.
Local leaders are in touch with their community’s needs
Through local councils, community events, and daily casual chit chat, local leaders deeply engage with the community they serve. This close connection fosters a rich understanding of community members’ everyday challenges, needs, and aspirations that drive community resilience from the ground up.
When disaster strikes, it’s local leaders who answer the call
When disasters like coastal flooding, drought, crop failure, or powerful storms strike, communities look to mayors for immediate action and leadership. From coordinating emergency services to rallying local resources and crafting rapid response strategies, it’s often mayors on the frontlines who respond first.
Mayors and local leaders serve in the sweet spot between community and national-level bureaucracy to amplify solutions
Mayors and local leaders are uniquely positioned to drive impactful solutions as they work in the middle ground between local communities and national governments. They are embedded in their constituents’ day-to-day realities, which helps them craft tailored and responsive policies. Local leaders also often have the administrative reach and political visibility to scale successful initiatives and influence broader systems.
Local leaders spark local action
Mayors are trusted messengers who can shape norms, inspire action, and create the enabling conditions for communities to adopt sustainable practices to combat climate change.
Our History
Prior to 2021
Rare supports work of coastal mayors in the Phillipines, which inspires a similar approach in Honduras.
June 8, 2021
Coastal 500 is launched on World Ocean Day. 60 mayors pledge to protect coastal seas
March 2022
First joint statement issued for the international year of the Artisanal Fisher launched at the 8th Our Ocean Conference.
September 2023
Coastal 500 is chosen out of 1300+ nominees as 1 of 15 finalists for the Earthshot Prize.
June 2024
First global peer learning exchange hosted in the Philippines. Members also join the National Coastal & Inland Fisheries Summit to share insights.
June 2025
Largest Coastal 500 global delegation engages at the 2nd United Nations Ocean Conference in France & the launch of the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition
November 2025
Coastal 500 members from Brazil speak at COP30 Ministerial events, bringing previously underrepresented local perspective to this venue. Network commitments featured on the official COP30 Global Action Agenda.
March 2026
Coastal 500 surpasses goal of 500 members worldwide
How Coastal 500 addresses the challenge?
Coastal 500 helps local leaders turn ambition into action. Through practical support, shared learning, and collective advocacy, we help members tackle coastal challenges in ways that are locally led and globally connected.
Local action and policy
We support members to develop practical local solutions, strengthen policy, and deliver action that responds to community needs.
Global advocacy
We elevate local leadership and coastal priorities on the global stage, helping members influence policy, funding, and wider systems change.
Peer-to-peer learning
we connect local governments to share experiences, learn from one another, and adapt proven solutions across regions.
Capacity building
We strengthen local leadership through tools, knowledge, and support that help members deliver long-term impact.
A network rooted in local leadership
What current members are saying
News, insights, and lessons from the network
Discover how local leaders are responding to urgent coastal challenges, sharing practical lessons, and inspiring action across the globe.
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Get involved. Stay connected.
Whether you're a current or prospective member, partner or funder, Coastal 500 offers multiple ways to engage. Join our movement.
