4Coastal Blue Carbon Practices
Blue carbon refers to the carbon that is absorbed and released in marine and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, tidal salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. Although such coastal areas form a comparatively small footprint, their ecosystems have the capacity to absorb and store significant amounts of CO2 from the air, as illustrated below. As a result, coastal blue carbon practices contribute to a diverse portfolio of climate restoration solutions.
Marine and coastal ecosystems have the capacity to absorb and store larger amounts of CO2 per hectare compared to land-based ecosystems.
If these coastal ecosystems are damaged or destroyed, the carbon will be released back into the atmosphere. Prioritizing coastal blue carbon practices, therefore, plays a crucial role in protecting marine and coastal ecosystems from deterioration and loss.
By adopting these practices, we can promote healthier ecosystems that efficiently absorb and store atmospheric carbon, while also preventing the release of additional carbon. To better understand and compare coastal blue carbon practices with other carbon removal solutions, we consider the principles of durability, scalability, financeability, and equity.
Durability
Compared to land-based forest carbon practices, coastal blue carbon practices allow carbon to be stored within coastal soils for a significantly longer period of time, from centuries to millennia. But like land-based ecosystems, the carbon stored in the plants’ biomass generally lasts only years to decades. Durable carbon storage in these ecosystems is threatened by risks like extreme weather and a lack of long-term ecosystem management plans.
Financeability
Coastal blue carbon practices can be challenging to finance due to high initial costs and expensive methods used for measurement and verification. However, taking a multi-functional approach that addresses a broader range of goals can make access to funding easier. For example, mangroves are among the least expensive solutions to finance. If projects are designed with goals that also include ecosystem restoration, eco-tourism, and adaptation benefits, they can broaden the available funding sources.
Scalability
The scalability of coastal blue carbon practices depends on the kind of ecosystems that are conserved or restored. Although each ecosystem has a distinct capacity to remove and store CO2, these rates are relatively low compared to other solutions because of the limited available coastal areas and their financial feasibility. Nevertheless, the distinct social and environmental benefits that come with coastal blue carbon practices emphasize their significance as a restorative solution.
Equity
The impacts of climate change present a unique set of environmental, social, and health challenges for those who live and work in close proximity to the ocean. Coastal blue carbon practices are best implemented following a robust community engagement process that considers all possible stakeholders. Examples include supporting regenerative ocean development, community-based blue economies, and community fisheries in order to prioritize environmental sustainability and those experiencing climate impacts most directly.
