Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
This case study was collected through a Call for Good Practices on Reducing Risk across SDG Transitions, launched by the UNDRR Focal Points Group in 2024.
SDGs addressed: 13 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 10
Coastal Barra de Santiago has lost 60 % of its mangroves in 50 years. The Green Life Insurance initiative, driven by Davivienda Seguros and the ARISE leader FUNDEMAS, channels part of each policy premium into community restoration. With technical support from GIZ and permits from the Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources (MARN), residents-led by the women’s association AMBAS-have restored 8 ha and planted 26 200 mangroves, sequestering 1 892 t CO₂ and improving habitat across the 11 500-ha Ramsar site.
Innovation & Success Factors
- Finance-nature link – insurance premiums fund measurable ecological gains.
- Women-centred governance empowers AMBAS (60 % female workforce) and secures local buy-in.
- Outcome-based payments tie funding to survival rates and canopy growth.
Key impacts
- Disaster-risk reduction – mangroves buffer storm surge, erosion and flooding.
- Livelihoods – 70 families receive paid restoration work and nursery jobs.
- Carbon storage – 1 892 t CO₂ captured.
- Biodiversity – habitat revived for fish, birds and turtles; fish stocks rising.
- Replication pipeline – plan to restore 10 ha more and replicate model in Honduras & Costa Rica.
Lessons learned for replication or adaptation
- Community ownership sustains effort; locals plan, plant and monitor.
- Tying finance to ecological metrics secures long-term funding.
- Public-private-community governance speeds permits and aligns incentives.
- Gender focus increases impact and ensures broad social acceptance.
- Baseline & monitoring data from GIZ proved vital for adaptive management.
Other resources / Explore further
Organisations involved
- Private sector: Davivienda Seguros (insurer & funder)
- UN system: UNDRR via ARISE Private Sector Alliance
- National NGO: FUNDEMAS (ARISE El Salvador leader)
- Government: Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources (permits)
- Technical partner: GIZ (capacity-building, biodiversity monitoring)
- Community group: Asociación de Mujeres de la Barra de Santiago (AMBAS)