Operationalizing marketable blue carbon
Authors
Peter I. Macreadie, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Alistar I. Robertson, The University of Western Australia
Bernadette Spinks, Consulting & Implementation Services
Matthew P. Adams, The University of Queensland
Jennifer M. Atchison, University of Wollongong
Justine Bell-James, The University of Queensland
Brett A. Bryan, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Long Chu, The Australian National University
Karen Filbee-Dexter, The University of Western Australia
Lauren Drake, Pollinate
Carlos M. Duarte, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Daniel A. Friess, National University of Singapore
Felipe Gonzalez, Queensland University of Technology
R. Quentin Grafton, The Australian National University
Kate J. Helmstedt, Queensland University of Technology
Melanie Kaebernick, Australian Government
Jeffrey Kelleway, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Gary A. Kendrick, The University of Western Australia
Hilary Kennedy, Bangor University
Catherine E. Lovelock, The University of Queensland
J. Patrick Megonigal, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Damien T. Maher, Southern Cross University
Emily Pidgeon, Conservation International
Abbie A. Rogers, The University of Western Australia
Rob Sturgiss, Science
Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Melissa Wartman, Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Kerrie A. Wilson, Queensland University of Technology
Kerrylee Rogers, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Publication Name
One Earth
Abstract
The global carbon sequestration and avoided emissions potentially achieved via blue carbon is high (∼3% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions); however, it is limited by multidisciplinary and interacting uncertainties spanning the social, governance, financial, and technological dimensions. We compiled a transdisciplinary team of experts to elucidate these challenges and identify a way forward. Key actions to enhance blue carbon as a natural climate solution include improving policy and legal arrangements to ensure equitable sharing of benefits; improving stewardship by incorporating indigenous knowledge and values; clarifying property rights; improving financial approaches and accounting tools to incorporate co-benefits; developing technological solutions for measuring blue carbon sequestration at low cost; and resolving knowledge gaps regarding blue carbon cycles. Implementing these actions and operationalizing blue carbon will achieve measurable changes to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, provide multiple co-benefits, and address national obligations associated with international agreements.
Open Access Status
This publication may be available as open access
Funding Number
DE1901006192
Funding Sponsor
Australian Research Council
