Coastal Blue Carbon in Practice

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are significant carbon sinks. They present new opportunities for carbon finance to benefit wetland habitat restoration and conservation efforts. 

Blue carbon intervention refers to the ability of coastal wetland ecosystems—mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses—to sequester and store carbon dioxide. Prior to 2012, coastal wetland project activities were not eligible for carbon offset generation. However, the Verified Carbon Standard, a leading global carbon offset mechanism, has since expanded its project activities to include a wetlands category. 

This Manual is meant to be used alongside the Methodology for Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration to identify the key elements of blue carbon asset generation. It aids project developers in the main phases of carbon project implementation: feasibility and site selection, documentation, registration, implementation, and carbon asset management.