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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
Carbon Assessment
The Carbon Assessment provides the essential data and analysis for quantifying the values of Blue
Carbon storage and sequestration and storage at a project site. This is accomplished through the
analysis of satellite images, the gathering of samples and carbon stock measurements through
field research and laboratory analysis. Activities for the carbon assessment element can include
the following:
Establishing the location of the project’s targeted field surveys (sample plots) based on
geographic analysis;
Estimating the carbon stocks of the project site’s standing Blue Carbon through the collation of
existing data and targeted field surveys. The targeted field surveys apply methodologies for
carbon assessment (see following text box) and will also facilitate the ground truthing of the
satellite imagery analysis and include the collection and analysis of Blue Carbon biomass and
sediment samples or cores; and
The production of a carbon assessment report.
Geographic Analysis and Ground Truthing
The project’s Geographic Analysis and Ground Truthing element covers the critical spatial analysis
required for the assessment and management of potential Blue Carbon mitigation projects -
Improving understanding
Methodologies for Blue Carbon assessment
Coastal and marine ecosystems have been explored in a carbon context for years, with seminal research on
coastal productivity and the fate of mangrove organic matter published in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s
(e.g., Odum 1968, Odum and Heald 1972). Over time many researchers have developed their own
methodologies for coastal and marine carbon assessment, such as the initiatives illustrated in Figure 5 and
described in the case studies of Section 8. It is only recently that methodologies and projects have been
focussed on potential carbon finance. In such a context, “methodologies, also called protocols, are approved
by standards and provide specific criteria and procedures for projects. Projects must meet the requirements
in a methodology in order to receive carbon credit” (Emmett-Mattox and Crooks, 2013).
The current status of Blue Carbon methodologies includes the following (Emmett-Mattox and Crooks, 2013;
Crooks, 2014):
American Carbon Registry
, “Restoration of Degraded Deltaic Wetlands of the Mississippi Delta.” Status -
approved;
Verified Carbon Standard
, “Methodology for Wetland Creation.” Status - in validation;
Verified Carbon Standard
, “Accounting Methods to Determine the Greenhouse Gas Benefits of Tidal
Wetland Restoration.” Status - draft in preparation;
Plan Vivo
, “Mikoiko Pamoja,” a community based mangrove carbon project in Kenya (Case Study 8.2).
Status - unknown (the project is reportedly certified and awaiting first payment);
International Blue Carbon Initiative
, “Blue Carbon methodology” - in development; and
Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon Demonstration Project
, “Carbon Baseline Assessment Methodology Report” -
pending (Case Study 8.1).
