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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
Blue Carbon projects can work!
Strong signals from the UAE and Kenya indicate that Blue Carbon is being recognized for the
first time in marine and coastal ecosystem policy and management, including at national and
local scales, and can achieve the dual goals of climate mitigation and improved and sustainable
marine and coastal ecosystem management.
Significant results from the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project to date include the
following (illustrated further in Case Study 8.1):
Project findings are being recognized in policy and management though:
o
incorporation into Abu Dhabi’s National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
(NBSAP) report;
o
incorporation into the Abu Dhabi Environmental Performance Index (AD-EPI) report;
o
incorporation into Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) business planning towards
the Climate Change programme;
o
incorporation into the Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan (Abu Dhabi
Capital 2030), planning for the Al Gharbia Region (Al Gharbia 2030) and marine
spatial plans; and
o
utilization by the Abu Dhabi municipality.
The Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI) will continue the exploration of
Blue Carbon in the Northern Emirates; and
The Emirate of Dubai will utilize the methodology and ecosystem services habitat protocols
of the project in carrying out similar assessments.
Significant results to date from the Mikoko Pamoja project in Gazi Bay, Kenya, include the
following (illustrated further in Case Study 8.2):
An agreement was successfully negotiated with the local community regarding the
allocation of money generated by the sale of Blue Carbon credits, with approximately two
thirds identified for the conservation of mangroves and for community benefit;
The Kenyan Government has supported local rights and authority regarding Blue Carbon
through the issuing of a Forest Management Agreement to the Gazi Bay community; and
The project has successfully completed verification and awaits Plan Vivo certification to
start Blue Carbon offsetting.
These results present excellent lessons learnt and targets for the further application of Blue
Carbon through other international projects and initiatives.
