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Building Blue Carbon Projects
An Introductory Guide
researchers is to improve their access to higher resolution images – an activity they are working on
in partnership with other international Blue Carbon scientists.
The work is done by a combined group of local non-governmental organizations and academic
researchers who participate in research, analysis, and in conveying the findings to decision makers
at the government level.
Presently, this research focuses on expanding the science and filling in data gaps, though there
certainly are longer-term goals of engaging with local communities to better understand the
importance of these ecosystems and their provision of ecosystem services.
One of the main focuses of this work is to bring together those within Indonesia in a forum for
knowledge sharing and collaboration and to better understand the science and policy around Blue
Carbon in Indonesia. Further to this, in the last quarter of 2013 Indonesia put forth a National
Science Plan that collates input from regional and national scientists to coordinate an action plan
and a uniform understanding on Blue Carbon in Indonesia. Both activities are noteworthy, as they
are the first of their kind and greatly needed in Indonesia where numerous Blue Carbon activities
are underway. The Indonesian community of local non-profit organizations, scientists,
governments and community stakeholders will convene in a roundtable effort to map current field
activities and prevent any overlap of efforts, as well as find areas for partnership in the field. The
forum and the National Plan are bringing together the many Blue Carbon activities in Indonesia,
presenting a coordinated effort to convey information to decision makers about the importance of
conserving and sustainable use of Indonesia’s Blue Carbon ecosystems.
Furthermore, in late December 2013, Blue Carbon Research Group, Agency for marine and
fisheries research and development along with other International partners (German International
Cooperation (GIZ), Conservation International, Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Program
(ATSEA) and IUCN) organize the 1
st
International Workshop on Blue Carbon in Jakarta. This
workshop was dedicated to bridging the gap between science and policy in Blue Carbon by
providing a framework for science development that maximizes sustainable use, rehabilitation and
conservation of the coastal ecosystems.
Indonesia’s Blue Carbon efforts will continue 2014 and beyond, as Indonesia is an Intervention of
the GEF Blue Forests Project. The GEF Blue Forests Project will add additional value to efforts
already underway, by expanding the sites where field work is conducted and attempting valuation
activities for the ecosystem services provided by Indonesia’s mangroves and seagrasses, along
with accompanying capacity building with local experts (Figure 13). Expected outcomes from GEF
support include improved capacity and ecosystem management supporting the sustainable use of
mangrove and seagrass resources and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
