IUCN warns 96% of shallow coral reefs face collapse by 2075

· Climate

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has released the first coral reef assessment under its Red List of Ecosystems, concluding that nearly all of the world's shallow-water coral reefs are at high risk of ecological collapse by 2075. More than 250 experts assessed the reefs, and the findings cover 96 percent of the planet's 127 major reef systems. Losing them would remove critical habitat for marine life and a lifeline for hundreds of millions of people who depend on reefs for food, coastal protection and income. The assessment is a scientific risk framework rather than a regulatory action, but it gives governments and conservation groups a benchmark for judging reef health and prioritizing protection as ocean warming continues.

Why it matters：The assessment sets a global scientific baseline for reef risk that will shape marine conservation funding, fisheries policy and coastal planning for decades.

Key points

  • The assessment is the first of its kind under the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework
  • More than 250 experts took part in evaluating shallow-water reefs
  • Reefs support marine habitat and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people

Sources (original reporting)

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