Highlights:

The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical framework to guide governments in catalyzing and scaling up public and private investment in Blue Carbon as part of their blue economy development.

“The first chapter, Scientific Basis for Action on Blue Carbon Ecosystems (Pillar 1)” focuses on the latest scientific knowledge providing the impetus for action. It includes a comprehensive description of the ecosystem services provided by BCEs and the rationale for the actionable status of established BCEs (mangroves, seagrass beds, and wetlands) as well as emerging BCEs.

Mangroves, seagrass beds, and coastal wetlands are part of the established wetlands inventory category for reporting requirements to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and are eligible for blue carbon credit schemes.

Blue carbon investments are among the most effective climate solutions available. Restoring one hectare of mangrove forest has, on average, a mitigation output more than five times higher than that of a similar area of restored terrestrial forest. Seagrass restoration compares to terrestrial restoration at a factor of 3:1, and seagrass conservation at a factor of almost 2:1. For saltmarsh interventions  restoration and conservation), the ratio is almost 2:1.

The second chapter, “Building a Policy and Institutional Environment for Blue Carbon (Pillar 2),” provides policy anchor points for client countries to set objectives and pathways to catalyze and scale up blue carbon investments.

The third chapter, “Mobilizing Finance for Blue Carbon (Pillar 3),” provides the entry points for client countries to pursue the public and private financing needed for blue carbon investments.

Chapter 4, “The Blue Carbon Readiness Framework,” provides a harmonized response for governments to tap their full blue carbon potential by combining technical, institutional, regulatory, and financial aspects.