Length of Coastline Protected (PI0510)

This metric is intended to capture the extent of coastline that has been newly protected or newly incorporated into a larger protected coastal zone as a result of the organization’s interventions.

Organizations should report the cumulative length of all segments of coastline protected during the reporting period. If multiple segments are protected, they should be summed and reported as a single figure. The methodology for calculating protected coastline length (e.g., based on geographic information systems (GIS) or regulatory boundaries) should be disclosed in footnotes.

Protection may include formal designations such as coastal protected areas, mangrove buffer zones, or other regulatory protections that limit harmful development or extraction. It may also include community-based conservation agreements that effectively safeguard coastal ecosystems.

This metric should be used in conjunction with relevant biodiversity or marine management indicators where applicable, such as Area of Marine Habitat Protected (PI1911) or Marine Area Directly Controlled: Total (OI7876).

If the organization contributes partially to the total protected length, this should be footnoted with an estimate of their proportional impact.

It is important to differentiate protection from other types of interventions, such as restoration or infrastructure development. Only efforts that legally or formally safeguard the coastline should be counted.