Font size:
Print
Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Climate Action
Context:
Blue carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, are much more effective than terrestrial forests in carbon sequestration.
More on News
- They sequester carbon at rates 10 times higher than tropical forests and store 3 to 5 times more carbon per area than tropical forests.
- Mangroves alone can store over 1,000 tons of carbon per hectare, as detailed in the Blue Carbon and its Role in Carbon Sequestration report.
Coastal Blue Carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored by coastal ecosystems such as salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds. These ecosystems act as carbon sinks, meaning they absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change. The carbon sequestration process is driven by the growth of coastal plants and their ability to store carbon in soils over long periods of time.
Restoration and Benefits
- Restoration Impact: According to the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), restoring just 10% of degraded mangroves could sequester an additional 1.6 billion tons of carbon globally.
- Additional Benefits: Mangrove roots prevent soil erosion, stabilise soil, and support marine life, making them vital for ecosystem health beyond carbon storage, as emphasised by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).
Challenges Facing Blue Carbon Projects
- Degradation and Loss of Mangroves: Myanmar has lost over 64% of its mangroves in the last 35 years due to agricultural expansion, aquaculture, and coastal development. Agricultural demand (particularly for rice and shrimp farming) is responsible for 38% of global mangrove loss.
- Economic Bottlenecks: Blue carbon credits, which represent carbon sequestered by coastal ecosystems, face significant economic and policy challenges. High costs, complex verification procedures, and the risk of misuse undermine their effectiveness.
- Projects like REDD+ in Cambodia have faced scrutiny for failing to prove their claims of carbon sequestration, raising doubts about the integrity of some carbon credit programs.
- Corruption and Mismanagement: The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh has suffered from illegal logging and mismanagement, further accelerating the degradation of vital ecosystems.
Positive Developments and Innovations
- Australia’s Blue Carbon Method: The Blue Carbon Method, under Australia’s Emissions Reduction Fund, has created a framework that makes it easier to include coastal wetland restoration in carbon markets.
- Notable projects, like tidal restoration in South Australia, have shown progress in restoring coastal ecosystems.
- Technological Integration: AI mapping and blockchain are being used to monitor seagrass meadows and ensure transparency in carbon credit transactions.
- The Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund has helped promote mangrove conservation projects in Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on community-driven initiatives.
- Community-Driven Restoration: In Indonesia, community-driven restoration programs have not only improved mangrove ecosystems but also boosted local economies through sustainable fisheries.
- The Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration Alliance (MERA) has restored 262 hectares of mangroves with plans to restore nearly 399,000 hectares.
Economic Potential
- Global Market: The potential for the blue carbon credit market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2030, providing significant financial benefits alongside environmental protection.
- India’s Efforts:
- Eco-tourism: Restored mangroves in India have boosted eco-tourism, attracting government funds under the Coastal Regulation Zone reforms in 2023.
- Economic Benefits: Restoring coastal ecosystems could increase coastal GDPs by up to 15%, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). The OECD reports that every $1 invested in blue carbon restoration could yield $6 in economic aid.
- MISHTI Initiative in India: The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), launched in 2023, aims to restore 540 sq km of mangroves across nine states and four Union territories by 2028.
- Over 250 sq km of mangroves have already been restored as of 2024.
