A Global Vision for High-Quality Blue Carbon
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Coastal resilience
Wetlands International is one of the contributors and early adopters of the High-Quality Blue Carbon Market Principles and Guidance, that were launched at UNFCCC COP27. The Principles and Guidance describe what ‘high quality’ means for blue carbon projects and credits, to foster investments that have triple benefits for people, nature, and climate.
The Principles an Guidance delivers a set of clear, concise principles and guidance that characterize high-quality blue carbon projects and credits, with the goal of preserving and restoring blue carbon ecosystems. ‘Blue carbon‘ refers to the intertidal ecosystems that capture and store carbon that currently have methodologies for verification and certification by an authorized certifying body. Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and tidal marshes are the three ecosystems highlighted in this document.
Wetlands International contributed to the consultative process that brought together scientists, developers, investors, buyers, and certifiers to consolidate knowledge and best practices and build a shared vision for achieving high-quality blue carbon projects and credits for all stakeholders. This process was led by The World Economic Forum (WEF) Friends of Ocean Action, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), Salesforce, The Nature Conservancy, and Conservation International with the support of Meridian Institute.
“Wetlands International welcomes the High-Quality Blue Carbon Principles and Guidance to help ensure socio-environmental integrity of the Voluntary Carbon Market. This is crucial to channel much-needed finance to the coastal wetlands that are super carbon stores while also strengthening community resilience in the face of climate change.”
– Femke Tonneijck, Programme Head Wetland Carbon
