Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Nature-based Solutions Linking Climate Actions

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are a critical requirement to address climate change while delivering co-benefits that span the environmental, societal and economic aspects of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Nature-based solutions were also recognized in ‘First global stocktake’, recognizing that nature and biodiversity are keys to mitigating a heating planet and protecting vulnerable communities from the impacts of a changing climate. Coastal wetlands, such as tidal marshes and mangroves store significant amounts of carbon, while buffering inland areas from the effects of storms, supporting resiliency. Similarly, protecting and enhancing mangroves (coastal defence through tree planting and dune establishment) provides ‘blue carbon’ mitigation benefits, protection from storm surges, stabilization of coastlines and improves safeguarding of biodiversity of marine species.

The second of this webinar series will focus on blue carbon ecosystems and ocean-based climate action as a potential nature-based solution (NbS) to foster synergies across climate action. As countries prepare their next round of NDCs for submission in 2025, known as the NDCs 3.0, the integration of NbS can offer substantial opportunities to contribute to both mitigation and adaptation goals and it will be critical for maximizing climate ambition, building resilience, and promoting sustainable development. 

Objective

This webinar aims to provide policymakers, technical experts, and stakeholders with examples from the region in effectively integrating Blue Carbon and Ocean-based climate action into NDCs. This webinar will be a platform to share concrete examples of initiatives and country experience in a structured way for identifying, designing and implementing synergistic climate goals, aligned with national development priorities.

Expected Outcomes

• Peer-to-peer learning from countries on concrete NbS examples that can be integrated in NDCs

• Strengthened understanding of the knowledge base on NbS – strengthening the links between science and policy – for the development of effective NDCs 3.0.