Blue Carbon

From mitigating and adapting to climate change to providing significant economic and social benefits, blue carbon initiatives create opportunities for communities and industries alike.

How Blue Carbon Works

Carbon Sequestration
Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrasses, act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis.
Carbon Storage
Coastal ecosystems can store carbon in their biomass and in marine sediments. Seabed sediments can store organic carbon for extended periods, if they are undisturbed.
Ecosystem Protection
Preserving these habitats prevents stored carbon from being released back into the atmosphere, supporting global efforts to curb climate change.
Ecosystem Restoration
Restoring degraded coastal ecosystems enhances their ability to absorb and store additional carbon, making them valuable in the fight against climate change.

Blue Carbon Projects

Challenges

Blue carbon markets are still in their early stages. Key obstacles include the lack of standardized methods for verifying carbon sequestration, the challenge of scaling restoration or protection projects, securing the rights to sell carbon credits from resource owners (usually governments), and coordinating efforts to register, market, and issue the credits.
Financial Viability

Many projects face financial difficulties, partly due to low carbon credit prices. By 2023, at least 61 countries included mangroves in their nationally determined contributions, according to the IUCN. With advancements in MRV (monitoring, reporting, and verification) technology, data transparency, and growing market interest, blue carbon projects are expanding in countries like Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Types of Blue Carbon Projects

Blue carbon projects can involve both conservation of existing ecosystems and restoration of damaged ones, with a focus on improving or expanding mangrove, seagrass, and saltmarsh habitats.

Key Benefits of Blue Carbon Projects

Job Creation

Blue carbon projects generate employment opportunities across various sectors, from habitat restoration to ongoing scientific research and environmental monitoring. These jobs can range from local restoration work to cutting-edge environmental science, supporting a diverse workforce.
Carbon Credits

Investors in blue carbon projects acquire carbon credits, each representing one tonne of CO2 sequestered by coastal ecosystems. These credits generate revenue to fund further protection and restoration, creating a positive cycle.
Sustainable Livelihoods

Healthy blue carbon ecosystems support local economies by enhancing fisheries, boosting tourism, and protecting coastlines from erosion, offering long-term economic resilience to coastal communities.
Carbon Sequestration

By absorbing CO2, blue carbon ecosystems contribute significantly to global climate mitigation efforts, making them a key solution in both environmental and economic terms.

Featured Blue Carbon Projects

Mikoko Pamoja, Kenya
Mikoko Pamoja, Kenya's pioneering blue carbon project, empowers local communities, especially women, to protect and restore mangroves, enhancing coastal biodiversity and socio-economic opportunities. As a global model, this project is being replicated throughout Kenya and Tanzania.
Japan’s Seagrass and Seaweed Initiative
Japan has prioritized research into carbon storage by kelps and seaweeds for over a decade. As the first country to include seaweeds in its national climate action plan, Japan’s methodology tracks carbon sequestration, despite challenges posed by seaweeds’ unique storage mechanisms. The Japan Blue Economy Association has developed a science-based methodology to certify blue carbon projects.

Registries from organizations like Plan Vivo and Verra offer spot purchases — the immediate purchase of blue carbon credits used to offset emissions — from verified projects. As the market evolves, blue carbon projects are shifting towards ex-ante investment and carbon offtake agreements, addressing early project financing challenges for nature-based solutions. Initiatives like Fair Carbon provide resources to learn more about this topic.

Getting Involved in Blue Carbon

01 Support Ethical Projects
Businesses and citizens can purchase blue carbon credits to back projects that are ethical, inclusive, and beneficial to local communities.
02 Empower Local Action
Communities can establish or join local groups to participate in blue carbon initiatives, collaborating with government agencies to create sustainable, community-led projects.
03 Provide Tools for Success
Businesses can offer cost-effective tools and technologies for transparent monitoring of blue carbon ecosystems, ensuring the success and scalability of projects.
04 Shape Policy
Policymakers can create regulations for national carbon markets and integrate blue carbon projects in nationally determined contributions, with mandates for community-led management.
05 Share Knowledge
Researchers can produce accessible reports on blue carbon science, offering insights to policymakers, businesses and communities to strengthen the business case for blue carbon projects.

Credits

Ralph Chami
Dinah Nieburg
Belinda Bramley

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