The Mediterranean basin is today considered a global biodiversity hotspot. Its exceptional flora includes some 15,000-25,000 species, 60% of which are endemic to the region. However, over-fishing, coastal development and the impacts of climate change have all put this ecosystem under increasing strain, resulting in the Mediterranean being one of the most threatened marine regions in the world. For years, safeguarding the Mediterranean has relied on regional cooperation, cemented through the COGITO project. As part of the 16th edition of the Regional experience-sharing workshop organised by MedPAN, one of the COGITO project sponsors, the FFEM took part in the project’s final event, held on 15 - 19 April 2024 in La Londe-les-Maures.

Carbon finance is essentially a way of assigning a value to the climate impact of actions on the ground. Carbon finance mechanisms were introduced through the Kyoto Protocol. They allow developed countries to offset their surplus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by funding GHG reduction or carbon storage projects in countries of the “Global South”. Alongside this regulated market created through the Kyoto Protocol, a voluntary carbon market has emerged, which is open to any type of organisation. Although the carbon markets have been quite sluggish for a number of years, the 2021 Glasgow climate conference (COP26) and its negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement have led to a resurgence in interest.