Abstract
Word count: 295For millennia, coastal and marine ecosystems have adapted and flourished in the unique environment of the Red Sea. Surrounded by deserts on all sides, the Red Sea is subjected to high dust inputs receiving very little freshwater input and so harbors a high salinity. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves flourish in this environment and provide socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bordering coastlines and countries of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Interestingly, while coral reef ecosystems are currently experiencing rapid decline in health on a global scale, those in the Red Sea appear relatively in better shape. That said, they are certainly not immune to the stressors which cause degradation. In many regions, ecosystems are already severely deteriorating and are further threatened by increasing population pressure and large coastal development projects. Degradation of these marine habitats will lead to environmental costs, as well as significant economic losses, and will therefore result in a missed opportunity for the bordering countries to develop a sustainable blue economy and integrate innovative nature-based solutions. Recognizing that securing the future of the Red Sea ecosystems must occur in synergy with continued social and economic development, we developed an action plan for the conservation, restoration, and growth of marine environments of the Red Sea. We then investigated the level of resources for financial and economic investment that may incentivize these activities. This study presents a set of commercially viable financial investment strategies, ecological innovations, and opportunities for sustainable development, which can, if implemented strategically, help ensure long-term economic benefits and promote environmental conservation. We make a case for investing in blue natural capital and propose a strategic development model that relies on maintaining the health of natural ecosystems to safeguard the sustainable development of the Red Sea.