Developing a Framework for Blue Carbon Payments

Abstract

Referred to collectively as ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems, salt marshes, seagrasses and mangroves sequester and store significant amounts of carbon which, when destroyed or degraded, release CO2 into the atmosphere contributing to climate change. The long term sustainable future of these ecosystems may rely in part, on the development of a framework to aid in the process of acquiring payments to protect and restore these ecosystems. Blue carbon ecosystems provide numerous values, services and benefits to humans; however, many of the services are not traded in a marketplace and are unvalued, which has led to overutilization and exploitation. This paper examines the concept of payments for blue carbon protection through the lens of three blue carbon research sites in Abu Dhabi, Madagascar and Mozambique. A literature review, coupled with research and interviews with practitioners at the three blue carbon research sites served to inform the development of this paper. The overarching goal of payments for blue carbon is to aid in the protection of these vital ecosystems while also providing resources and a means for the people living in these sensitive areas. This paper uncovers various opportunities, constraints and issues of uncertainty related to financing blue carbon protection through the sale of carbon offsets from blue carbon ecosystems. These issues are applied and examined in the context of three blue carbon research sites to uncover potential solutions.