The Blue Carbon Handbook Blue carbon as a nature-based solution for climate action and sustainable development

Abstract

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), in its Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity, included a goal that, by 2030, ‘marine and coastal ecosystems are healthy, resilient and productive, and nature-based solutions are key elements in developing coastal infrastructure’. There are many good reasons for this. Marine and coastal ecosystems play key roles in ocean carbon cycling and provide hotspots of biodiversity. Vital coastal ecosys tems are key to human well-being, fisheries and tourism. Coastal vegetation protects against erosion, flooding and storms. To highlight potential pathways towards achieving this goal, the Ocean Panel has commissioned this report, The Blue Carbon Hand book: Blue Carbon as a Nature-Based Solution for Climate Action and Sustainable Development, produced in collaboration with the International Partnership for Blue Carbon and the Blue Carbon Initiative. Blue carbon is defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as ‘all biologically-driven carbon fluxes and storage in marine systems that are amenable to management’ (IPCC 2019). At present, three types of coastal wetland ecosystems have internationally adopted methodologies for carbon account ing as defined in the IPCC Wetlands Supplement (IPCC 2013). Thus, these three ecosystems—tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrass meadows—are the focus of this report as they are actionable at present in a climate context. Since the term blue carbon was coined nearly 15 years ago, global recognition of the contribution of blue carbon ecosystems to storing and sequestering carbon, coastal resilience and adaptation to climate change, sustaining biodiversity and supporting human populations has increased. Despite this, we have also witnessed substantial and continuing degradation and destruction of these ecosystems. This report draws on the comprehensive literature on blue carbon ecosystems developed over the last decade, aiming to distil key concepts and information. The report is intended for non-specialists who are starting to consider blue carbon opportunities, to act as a reference guide to gain a broad understanding of the subject to support decision-making. The report has been collectively composed by a select group of expert blue carbon authors. It offers key information and direction to decision-makers considering topics ranging from the sequestration potential of blue carbon ecosystems, to adaptation and resilience benefits, to the policy land scape surrounding blue carbon for climate action, biodiversity and sustainable development, and to the carbon market and other financing options for blue carbon projects. This report can be read ‘cover to cover’ or used as a quick reference guide, with key topics flagged by section headings, significant references for further reading listed and categorised, and common questions answered. Scaling blue carbon action by expanding the number of high-quality projects and national-scale programs is one example of a nature-based solution to climate change that can also contribute to global goals around biodiversity and sustainable develop ment. Achieving the global goal of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change will additionally require prioritising swift and deep emission reductions. Alongside this pressing need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems are part of the broader solution set for delivering the ambitions of the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and an adaptable and resilient sustainable ocean economy that can support thriving, healthy societ ies now and into the future. In coming years, scientific understanding of carbon cycling in kelp and seaweed ecosystems may progress to a level which will also make these coastal ecosystems ‘amenable to management’ and therefore included in future IPCC definitions of blue carbon. At pres ent, tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrass meadows are actionable for climate and therefore are the focus of this report. As a lead expert within the Ocean Panel Expert Group, I would like to warmly thank the authors, the reviewers and the Ocean Panel Secretariat at World Resources Institute for supporting the production of this resource. I am also extremely grateful for the continued enthusiasm of Ocean Panel members in their work towards realising a global sustainable ocean economy, and I hope that they and others act on the opportunities identified in this report