Just weeks after the Global Tipping Points Report 2025 warned that warm-water coral reefs have passed the first major climate tipping point, the Reef-World Foundation released its own 2024–2025 Impact Report.
Despite the dire warnings in the tipping points report, Reef-World says there are still signs of hope.
The charity’s report reveals that dive and snorkeling operators committed to the Green Fins Code of Conduct achieved an overall reduction of 26% in environmental threats across their operations during the reporting period.
An achievement highlighted in the report is the milestone reached by six Green Fins Members who achieved the zero-risk score according to the Green Fins Code of Conduct. This is a powerful indicator of exemplary best practice, fundamentally changing the narrative by proving a net-positive environmental impact is achievable, protecting the very resources these businesses depend on, according to Reef-World.
The Green Fins Environmental Best Performers were:
- Evolution Diving Resort (Philippines)
- Ceningan Divers (Indonesia)
- Scuba Junkie Sipadan (Malaysia)
- Bubbles Dive Centre (Malaysia)
- Camel Dive Club and Hotel (Egypt)
- Slow Dive Casa Chihuahua (Dominican Republic)
Reef-World Foundation Executive Director Chloe Harvey remarked on the Green Fins program’s potential:
“For more of the past two decades, we have often felt like we were running behind wildfire — mass tourism blazing ahead, leaving mass destruction in its wake. But today, we know better. Six Green Fins Members have now achieved 0% risk score, proving that it is possible. This milestone is not an ending — it’s a beginning. We can transform mass tourism into a driver of thriving, pristine environments, giving these critical ecosystems the space to survive the deeper challenges of climate change.”
The Green Fins network continued its growth and delivered measurable environmental improvements, including:
- 26% overall reduction in environmental threats observed among Green Fins member operations.
- 31% reduction in threats related to single-use plastics, recycling, and proper trash disposal.
- 16% reduction in direct diver contact with fragile coral reefs.
- 346 Active Members spanning 61 countries and 201 diving hotspots globally.
- 1,700 dive and snorkelling staff received in-person environmental training.
- 346,000 tourists were reached with high-quality conservation messaging.
Reef-World Foundation Trustees Chair Vic Hancock Fell said:
“The crisis facing coral reefs is severe and immediate, and our work is more urgent than ever, especially given the accelerating scale and pace of climate-related impacts. The role of small, agile organisations like Reef-World working directly with communities, governments and industry to protect reef ecosystems is vital. To continue this work at scale, we need a more joined-up, global response that recognises the urgency of the climate crisis and the critical need to fund frontline conservation efforts.”
The charity is actively exploring new funding models and strategic partnerships to scale the Green Fins initiative, noting an immense opportunity: the program still reaches just about 4% of the estimated global market of dive and snorkeling operators. The report stresses that the potential to scale conservation impact is enormous and urgently needed.
Featured Image credit: © Kogia | Jacob Guy
