The Role of Blue Carbon in Climate Change Mitigation and Carbon Stock Conservation

The potential for Blue Carbon ecosystems to combat climate change and provideco-benefits was discussed in the recent and influential Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.In terms of Blue Carbon, the report mainly focused on coastal wetlands and did notaddress the socio-economic considerations of using natural ocean systems to reducethe risks of climate disruption. In this paper, we discuss Blue Carbon resources in coastal,open-ocean and deep-sea ecosystems and highlight the benefits of measures such asrestoration and creation as well as conservation and protection in helping to unleash theirpotential for mitigating climate change risks. We also highlight the challenges—such asvaluation and governance—to marshaling their mitigation role and discuss the need forpolicy action for natural capital market development, and for global coordination. Effortsto identify and resolve these challenges could both maintain and harness the potential forthese natural ocean systems to store carbon and help fight climate change. Conserving,protecting, and restoring Blue Carbon ecosystems should become an integral part ofmitigation and carbon stock conservation plans at the local, national and global levels