The ability to produce and supply more food that is both nutritious and environmentally sustainable is a momentous challenge facing Africa. Where climate change is expected to negatively impact the agricultural resource of many parts of Southern Africa specifically. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has emerged as an approach considered capable of transforming and realigning agricultural systems to support food and nutritional security, and development under a changing climate. For sustainable food and nutrition security to be achieved, an effective policy environment is required that supports the widespread adoption of CSA application. In light of this context, this study aims to better understand nutrition’s current position within CSA-related policy at the national level by systematically reviewing all agriculture-related policy documents across Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, published between 2010 and 2019. The main findings show that efforts to address nutrition are being made within all countries and a sizeable number of policies, with crop-diversification and intensification presented as popular practices promoted as part of CSA. Nonetheless, the widespread adoption of these efforts remains weak and policies lack detail and instruction for the delivery of nutritional security. Cross-ministerial collaboration is recognised as essential for an improved policy environment, but few provide plans to strengthen such linkages or to include nutritional strategies. Clearer actions and policy outlines that promote nutrition as part of CSA are necessary if more effective action is to be achieved.

As anthropogenic pressures increasingly impact marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support, governance mechanisms for international biodiversity conservation have emerged. Seaweed habitats are important repositories for marine biodiversity, and they provide crucial ecosystem services that support both ocean and human health. Despite their ecological significance, seaweeds have been overlooked in global conservation discourse compared to other marine habitats. This study provides a thematic analysis of 18 international biodiversity frameworks to assess the representation of seaweeds and explores ways to better integrate them into policies. Key obstacles preventing full integration include imperfect institutional coordination, inconsistent seaweed‐related terminology use, limited representation within biodiversity targets and the absence of legally binding agreements with enforcement mechanisms. To address these, the study provides recommendations to improve the integration of seaweeds into biodiversity frameworks, thereby supporting broader marine ecosystem resilience. Improved seaweed representation and conservation will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water).

Seaweed cultivation is estimated to sustain over 6 million livelihoods worldwide, particularly in low-income tropical regions, such as Indonesia. The wild stocks that underpin this industry, however, are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures (e.g. climate change and overexploitation) that undermine its productivity and resilience. Although seaweed cultivation has been proposed as a nature-based solution to conserve biodiversity and support livelihoods, its long-term viability depends on the sustainable use and management of seaweed habitats by stakeholders. This study conducted a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey of seaweed industry and conservation stakeholders in South Sulawesi, Indonesia (n = 99 of which 87 respondents were based in South Sulawesi), to assess perspectives on seaweed conservation. Despite knowledge and supportive attitudes towards seaweed conservation being high, these were not consistently matched by sustained action. Key barriers to sustainable practices included a lack of understanding of the threats to wild seaweeds, livelihood instability that constrained conservation-aligned behaviour, and practical limitations (notably insufficient resources and technical support). To address these challenges, this study recommends risk-reducing mechanisms to support practice adoption (e.g., peer-to-peer learning, strengthened extension support, and risk-buffering finance), alongside co-designed seaweed monitoring programs, and targeted ocean literacy initiatives. Collectively, these measures could help translate stakeholder support into tangible seaweed conservation action, supporting a more sustainable seaweed sector that safeguards seaweed habitats and secures coastal livelihoods.

Other effective area‐based conservation measures (OECMs) offer opportunities to advance the Convention on Biological Diversity's ‘30 by 30’ conservation targets, while recognising greater stakeholder diversity, including industry, Indigenous peoples and local communities. Although aquaculture sites are generally excluded from OECM consideration, reported low environmental impacts and biodiversity benefits of low‐trophic species, including seaweeds, have prompted interest in their potential as regenerative sites or OECMs. We reviewed over 70 published studies assessing the biodiversity impacts of nearly 90 seaweed farms globally, to determine whether there was evidence that farms could meet the OECM screening criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN‐WCPA). Fewer than 4% of the farms assessed qualified as potential OECMs, despite over 50% not occurring in protected areas (passing the first criterion). Over 40% of farms did not support important biodiversity values or had negative biodiversity impacts (failing the second criterion). Fifteen per cent of farms were likely to support important biodiversity values; however, many of these occurred within existing marine protected areas (MPAs), preventing them from qualifying. Additionally, nearly 40% of farms had inconclusive evidence to determine the second criterion, highlighting the need for future studies to explicitly apply IUCN‐WCPA guidance and for that guidance to be clarified to reduce ambiguity. With over 50 seaweed farming nations worldwide, stronger regulation and support from international bodies and governments are urgently needed to improve the environmental impact of seaweed farming to help meet global conservation targets while maintaining coastal livelihoods and resilience.

Red eucheumatoid seaweeds are vital for the livelihoods of coastal communities and the health of tropical marine ecosystems. Due to the impacts of climate change and poor coastal management, eucheumatoids are vulnerable, therefore, conservation initiatives are urgently needed. To understand how communities perceive the importance of conserving wild eucheumatoids, 115 participants were interviewed, consisting of seaweed‐related stakeholders (SRS) and non‐SRS (non‐SRS). The results showed that the SRS wanted to see greater protection of seaweeds, but that it should be focused on cultivated species. Conversely, the non‐SRS group placed a lower priority on seaweed protection compared to other marine organisms, but agreed to the importance of protecting wild seaweeds. Both groups had positive attitude toward seaweed conservation and restoration, but had only moderate practical experience of conservation measures and challenges. These results highlighted the need for greater efforts to improve community awareness of seaweed conservation. This would include encouraging societal recognition of wild seaweeds and their importance by linking this to economic benefits, plus the inclusion of seaweeds in the national biodiversity conservation framework. This study provides baseline information to identify knowledge gaps within the community and to explore effective seaweed conservation efforts in Malaysia.

Malaysia is recognized as one of the world’s largest mega biodiversity countries. Under the Malaysia National Biological Diversity Plan (2022-2030), the protection and conservation of marine organisms and their ecosystems are prioritized in alignment with the natural climate solutions outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. A key focus of this initiative is the conservation and restoration of vital species, habitats, and vulnerable ecosystems, including seaweed species like red algae eucheumatoid, which supports Malaysia’s economic, social, and ecological systems. Despite its importance, protection efforts for this species have been limited, and scientific data indicate a concerning decline in genetic diversity among commercial and wild populations.To support effective conservation, we assessed Malaysia’s national concept, targets, strategies, and actions related to biodiversity as outlined in national policies, legislations, and the marine conservation framework, with particular attention to seaweed. We reviewed four national and local policies and five legislations addressing biodiversity and ecosystem management. Thematic analysis revealed: 1) Only national policies specifically focused on biodiversity and conservation include clear concepts, strategies, targets, and actions; however, these are often unbinding, 2) Policies and legislation on biodiversity typically lack explicit references to seaweed due to its lower prioritization, 3) The lack of prioritization in setting conservation targets has contributed significantly to the shortcomings in achieving conservation objectives, and 4) Education is crucial to build community awareness about the ecological and commercial value of seaweed biodiversity. Understanding regional capacity and resources is essential to achieving conservation goals effectively.The agenda surrounding biodiversity conservation is increasingly highlighted in international forums such as the Biodiversity COP 16 held in Cali in October 24 and Climate COP 29 in November 24. At these events, discussions emphasized the interconnectedness of biodiversity loss and climate change while promoting ecosystem-based approaches as viable solutions that address multiple global challenges simultaneously. The emphasis on integrating biodiversity considerations into climate action reflects a growing recognition of the need for cohesive strategies that leverage synergies between various environmental frameworks. By addressing policy gaps and capitalizing on opportunities for collaboration across sectors, Malaysia can enhance its approach to biodiversity conservation while fostering sustainable practices that benefit both ecosystems and local communities benefiting from opportunities arising from the seaweed sector.