{"id":154553,"date":"2023-12-14T18:05:44","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T17:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?post_type=project&p=154553"},"modified":"2026-02-03T16:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:11:34","slug":"restoring-mangroves-financed-with-blue-carbon-credits","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www-iucn.trybes.work\/en\/project\/restoring-mangroves-financed-with-blue-carbon-credits\/","title":{"rendered":"Restoring mangroves financed with blue carbon credits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Bouche du Roy Reserve is located in the Mono Delta in Benin, West-Africa. According to the national forest strategy of Benin, there has been a 30% decrease in mangrove habitats in the Mono Delta since 1995, primarily caused by agricultural clearing, overexploitation of fisheries, uncontrolled logging, and urbanisation, along with natural factors like sand dune dynamics. IUCN NL and Eco-Benin are working together to promote human development and preserve natural resources in the Mono Biosphere Reserve. The project aims to create a high-integrity blue carbon initiative in collaboration with the communities of Grand-Popo and Com\u00e9.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Header photo: Bouche du Roy-reserverve in Benin. \u00a9 Eco-Benin<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n \n\n
\n

What is blue carbon?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n

Blue carbon refers to carbon dioxide that is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in coastal and marine ecosystems (hence the word \u2018blue\u2019). 83% of the global carbon cycle is estimated to circulate through the ocean, and although they cover less than 2% of the total ocean area, coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and tidal marshes can sequester great amounts of organic carbon[1]<\/a><\/sup>. In fact, they sequester and store more carbon per unit area than terrestrial forests[2]<\/a><\/sup>. They are therefore, if managed correctly, effective ocean-based solutions for climate change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

Mangroves also act as barriers, preventing soil erosion and protecting coastal communities from storms. They also provide vital areas for fish spawning, which are critical for maintaining fish populations. Degradation or damage of these ecosystems reduces their carbon sink capacity, releasing the stored carbon to the atmosphere. Conservation, restoration and sustainable management of these ecosystems is critical in the mitigation of climate change.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n

The Bouche du Roy Reserve shows great potential for blue carbon certification projects: a 2023 feasibility study projected the possible certification of 402,841 tonnes CO2<\/sub>-equivalents over a 30 years\u2019 time span.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

The approach of the project<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n

The project aims to produce carbon credit revenues, in this way preserving and restoring mangrove forests and promoting sustainable development. The project, financed by the blue carbon revenues, will focus on three main activities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n