Blue Carbon

Why in News?

Current studies suggest that mangroves and coastal wetlands annually sequester carbon at a rate 10 times and store three to five times more carbon per equivalent area greater than tropical forests.

• Blue carbon is the term for carbon captured by the world's ocean and coastal ecosystems.
• The world’s mangroves, sea grasses and salt marshes together comprise ‘blue carbon ecosystems.’ They are nature’s most effective carbon sinks.

Mangroves alone have the capacity to store more than 1,000 tons of carbon per hectare.

• It can be found on every continent except Antarctica and cover approximately 50 million hectares.
• Coastal ecosystems sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests and are now being recognized for their role in mitigating climate change.
• These ecosystems also provide essential benefits for climate change adaptation, including coastal protection and food security for many coastal communities.
• However, if the ecosystems are degraded or damaged, their carbon sink capacity is lost or adversely affected.
• The resultant carbon stored is released, resulting in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Dedicated conservation efforts can ensure that coastal ecosystems continue to play their role as long-term carbon sinks.

• IUCN involvement – IUCN is involved in Blue Carbon initiatives through 2 main funding mechanisms
  • The Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF) and
  • The Blue Carbon Accelerator Fund (BCAF).

Reference

Down to Earth | Blue Carbon