Mangroves are resilient to natural hazards and contribute to disaster risk reduction, providing coastal protection against floods, storms, tsunamis and sea level rise.
They provide additional ecosystem services that greatly benefit local communities, such as nursery areas for fish and water purification. Mangroves are globally estimated to be worth at least USD1.6 billion per year in ecosystem services.
It is estimated that more than 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released annually from degraded coastal ecosystems. Conservation and restoration of mangrove forests has the potential to help prevent this release and mitigate climate, contributing to UN sustainable development goals.
However, in some parts of the Philippines they are threatened
In the Philippines’ Western, Central and Eastern Visayas and Palawan areas, mangrove forests are not only under threat from tropical typhoons, but also illegal clearing for fishponds and boat access, as well as extractive use and pollution.
The BNC solution
Partners Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Coast4C (C4C) are working to protect and restore large areas of mangrove forest using their proven assisted natural regeneration approach.
They aim to protect and restore 1,700 ha of mangrove forest and stop the degradation or deforestation of a further 1,000 ha. While the forest will provide the basis for income from carbon credits, the project will also help to increase the local communities’ disaster resilience, diversify local income opportunities, and help demonstrate a path to market for future carbon projects in the area.
How BCAF supports this initiative
With the support of BCAF, the project will conduct a detailed feasibility assessment to determine the financial viability of scaling up and commercialising their blue carbon project. The feasibility assessment will include technical mapping and carbon modelling, as well as commercial analysis. The results of these form a crucial first step towards carbon certification.
Impacts created
Nature
Nature
Mangroves are important carbon sinks, and their restoration has many benefits for nature, improving conservation and biodiversity efforts, reductions in pollution and making improvements to water quality.
People
People
The protection and sustainable management of this Philippine ecosystem will help to combat climate change, provide protection against natural disasters and increase the resilience of local communities.
Business
Business
Providing access to the voluntary carbon market will strengthen the local economy. Articulating a master plan for the management of the area will increase investor confidence and demonstrate that this is a viable business opportunity.
More information
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