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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
greenhouse gas emission reductions achievable
through mangrove REDD+ in Madagascar, as well
as contributing towards new VCS methodologies
applicable to the avoided deforestation of
mangrove forests and the conservation of intact
mangrove wetlands anywhere in the world.
Because REDD+ projects can take many years to
establish and operate within significant market
and policy uncertainty, the Blue Forests project is
going beyond carbon to create shorter-term ways
for coastal communities to gain from sustainable
management of mangrove fisheries and forest
resources.
Across their five sites, Blue Forests team
members, in close cooperation with community
members, are involved in many activities,
including:
taking the measurements necessary to estimate above- and below-ground carbon stocks in
mangrove forests;
collecting sediment core samples from deforested areas to understand the breakdown of
carbon over time;
using moderate-resolution satellite imagery in spatial analyses to stratify mangrove
ecosystems and quantify ecosystem dynamics;
engaging with local communities to understand the drivers of ecosystem degradation and
deforestation – here, this often means over harvesting for charcoal production and building
their capacities to manage mangroves sustainably;
investigating strategies to reduce mangrove deforestation and estimating potential emissions
reductions from avoided deforestation;
assessing the social impact of continued versus altered land-use practices;
analysing traditional forest user rights, tenure, and laws affecting implementation of REDD+
projects;
establishing baselines with-project biodiversity scenarios and biodiversity monitoring
programs and or mechanisms;
contributing to shoreline protection through participation in mangrove restoration efforts; and
establishing temporary community-managed fishing closures and mangrove fishing reserves.
Looking forward, Blue Ventures’ Blue Forests project is strengthening the methodologies that can
account for mangrove forests and paving the way for community REDD+ projects along
Madagascar’s mangrove-rich west coast. In the process, the project is helping build capacity
within and bring immediate benefits to participating communities. Benefits are focused on
conservation, improved management of mangrove forest and fisheries resources, and improved or
alternative livelihoods.
"We expanded our scope to include
blue forests (Blue Carbon) because we
strive for a holistic approach to marine
conservation that considers both
communities and surrounding
ecosystems. Without this landscape-
scale, socio-ecological approach, our
efforts could not help to truly empower
coastal communities and improve their
long-term livelihoods and climate
change preparedness, while helping to
safeguard biodiversity."
Trevor Jones, PhD
Geospatial Analyst, Manager of
Blue Carbon Science, Blue Ventures
