1. A Transformational Tool for Coastal Conservation
Blue Carbon:
A Transformational Tool for Coastal Conservation
Dr. Jennifer Howard
Marine Climate Change Manager
Conservation International
© Jeff Yonover
© Jeff Yonover

2. How can blue carbon lead to conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems?
So given the importance of these systems as sinks for CO2 and the emissions that results from degradation of theses systems, we now need to assess
Can we use blue carbon to cause better management, conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems?
Yes, mainly in three ways:
It can increase the recognition of mitigation value which may influence national policy and action as well as international policy through IPCC, UNFCCC.
2. It can improve management and regulation by promoting actions that maintain these systems that store carbon and minimise emissions
3. It can provide the basis for incentives to conserve or restore through philanthropic giving, conservation and development incentive agreements, and financial incentives for carbon credits (e.g. Verified Carbon Standard).
We have understood the vital importance these systems play in maintaining coastal water quality, providing coastal protection from storms and flooding, providing essential nurseries for fish and many other services people around the world depend upon. Can their importance for regulating carbon in the atmosphere bring even more focus and action to conserving these importance ecosystems.
Increase recognition of climate change significance
Improve management and regulation
Provide basis for incentives to conserve or restore
© Keith A. Ellenbogen

3. Healthy coastal ecosystems are essential for people
Many of these services are essential for climate adaptation along coasts, including protection from storms and sea level rise, prevention of shoreline erosion, regulation of coastal water quality, nutrient recycling, sediment trapping, provision of habitat for numerous commercially important and endangered marine species, and food security for many coastal communities around the world.
In addition, recent research has shown that these vegetated coastal ecosystems are highly efficient carbon sinks that play a significant role in mitigating global climate change.
Fisheries Coastal protection & erosion control Coastal Water Quality Livelihoods (tourism etc.) Cultural value Food Biodiversity Carbon sequestration and storage

4. Globally significant emissions.
Global Extent
Loss
Carbon Emissions
Mangroves
137,760 km2
30–50% in the last 50 years
0.02 – 0.12 Pg C yr-1
Seagrasses
300, ,000 km2
1.5% annually
0.06 – 0.3 Pg C yr-1
Coastal ecosystems are being increasingly recognized for their important role in carbon sequestration and, when degraded, their potential to become sources of carbon emissions.
Total emissions from Blue Carbon systems
~ Japan

5. rapidly lost These ecosystems are being COASTAL HABITAT
Despite these benefits and services coastal blue carbon ecosystems are some of the most threatened ecosystems on earth, with an estimated 340,000 to 980,000 hectares being destroyed each year.
If these trends continue at current rates, a further 30–40% of tidal salt marshes and seagrasses and nearly all unprotected mangroves could be lost in the next 100 years
COASTAL HABITAT
EST. GLOBAL AREA (km sq)
ANNUAL LOSS
TOTAL LOSS
Seagrasses
300,000 2%
29%
Salt Marshes
400,000
50%+
Mangroves
152,000
1.8%
35%
© Boone Kauffman

8. Provide the scientific foundation
Identify the next big science questions Create tools Develop guidelines Support policy Identify priority geographies
The scientific foundation of the Blue Carbon Initiative is provided by the International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group. The international working group consists of 22 international experts on mangroves, seagrasses, tidal marshes, carbon accounting, conservation incentives, and remote sensing.
The working group is synthesizing current and emerging science, to provide the robust scientific basis for coastal carbon conservation, management, and accounting, including detailing the global relevance of coastal carbon, creating standards for quantifying and monitoring blue carbon sequestration and emissions, developing coastal conservation, planning, and management guidelines, supporting policy and other processes, and identifying priority geographic areas and activities for blue carbon demonstration projects.
The the International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group is currently working a field guide for carbon accounting in coastal systems and in creating an international archive for coastal carbon data.
International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group

9. The work of the International Blue Carbon Policy Working Group is summarized in the Blue Carbon Policy Framework – updated in February 2012 and available from CI and IUCN. This outlines key international and national policy approaches needed by a wide variety of stakeholders in ensure the carbon in coastal ecosystems is recognized and that management and resources for conservation of these systems is made available.

10. Demonstrate Blue Carbon in the field
What about a map?
Many projects all over the world, I can speak to what CI is doing in the ETPS, Costa Rica, Philippines, Indonesia but there is much more going on
Global mapping efforts and fantastic research being produced by many of the people in this room

11. Kaimana - Indonesia
Assessment of the value of mangroves (area, use by communities, rate of loss, ecosystem services provided including carbon stored and sequestered, and threats)
Explicit integration of mangroves conservation into current activities within the region
Piloting of conservation compatible livelihoods approaches in communities
Supporting and advising the government of Indonesia on Blue Carbon issues

12. Thank you http://thebluecarboninitiative.org/ Dr. Jennifer Howard
Conservation International
©manfredxy