Malaysia’s Rajang Delta is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth, but its mangrove forests with all their biodiversity are threatened by decades of logging and palm oil development.
In an area of 77,600 hectares, where little blue carbon data is yet available, this project will define the technical, social, and financial viability of blue carbon projects in the Delta. It plans to map how investment can be directed towards strengthening community wellbeing, restoring and protecting endangered habitat, and building long-term ecosystem resilience.
This is foreseen as the preparation phase of a multi-year blue carbon project having major climate mitigation and adaptation potential, with carbon revenue from mangrove conservation and restoration to include community benefit sharing mechanisms underpinning the continued conservation of the Delta’s forests.
The Blue Natural Capital solution with Ecosecurities
Little relevant data is currently available on the Rajang Delta, requiring that necessary data be collected, analysed, and understood in order to build a Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Project Description and robust Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
The project will then look to detail a financial and economic proposal and also a business plan, for private sector investment in the implementation phase of the long term Rajang Delta Blue Carbon project expected to follow the current preparation phase project. BCAF support will allow consultations of local communities on benefit sharing mechanisms and governance, allowing the proposal and plan to include a community fund based on a percentage of revenue from the sale of carbon credits.
The project is expected to lead to further Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) activities, to be conducted in non-forest areas or in areas of degraded forest.
Main activities
- Develop a credible emissions profile based on climate and environment science;
- Consult with local communities on benefit sharing mechanisms, governance and land tenure.
- Undertake a community-led assessment of rights, resources, and preferred future management scenarios;
- Seek financial and legal clarity in preparing the roadmap for investment in the implementation of the Rajang Delta’s blue carbon project.
- Prepare an investment proposal for consideration by potential investors which will form the basis of a VCS and CCB Project Description.
- Outline a conservation and community investment proposition, including a roadmap for next steps;
Preparatory actions by the project developer and partners already underway…
- Consultation with the Sarawak Forest Department on the proposed project
- Rapid technical assessment and estimation of emission profile for the Project by Ecosecurites.
- Submission of an Expression of Interest to the Sarawak Forest Department
- Field tour, community introductions and Sarawak Government engagement.
- Application for Carbon Study Permit to Sarawak Forest Department
- Establishment of collaborative task forces including community stakeholders, society groups and NGOs.
How BCAF supports this initiative
With support from BCAF, the project is poised to help to define the technical, social, and financial viability of the Rajang Delta Blue Carbon project, thereby directing private sector investment toward strengthening community well-being, protecting and restoring critically endangered habitat and building ecosystem resilience.
Funding will be directed to establishing a science-based and robust emission profile for the project, a community led assessment of rights, resources and preferred future management scenarios, and a detailed roadmap for private sector investment into the project.
Impacts created
Nature
Nature
The project anticipates…
Climate change impact, through:
- An increasing acreage of land under permanent protection
- A decreasing number of illegal mangroves harvesting cases
- A growing number of critically threatened species protected.
Ecosystem restoration, with:
- A growing population of keystone fauna,
- Increased richness and abundance of flora species.
People
People
The project will aim to…
- Establish a community fund based on a percentage of revenue from the sale of carbon credits;
- Work closely with local communities to develop, strengthen or expand inclusive community-based enterprises, focusing on women and marginalized groups;
- Enhance the Livelihood of fishermen;
- Improve living conditions;
- See households and individuals participating in training;
- Increase the number of scholarship recipients;
- See reduction in the number of communicable diseases recorded.
Business
Business
Beyond carbon monetisation, additional revenue streams may include:
- Non-timber forest products,
- Agroforestry and climate-smart agricultural developments for communities with access to agricultural lands,
- Downstream agriculture product development and commercialisation,
- Fishery programs for coastal communities, with downstream fish product development and commercialisation,
- Ecotourism.
More information
Want to know more about why BCAF is supporting these projects? See more here:
Our Investing for Ocean Impact Podcasts speak on all subjects around Blue Carbon: investing in it, financing it, running projects on it, and how local communities can be involved and benefit: