Restore America’s Estuaries also developed a guidance manual: Coastal Blue Carbon in Practice: A Manual for Using the VCS Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration Methodology. This manual walks project developers through the process of blue carbon project planning, and can be downloaded at www.estuaries.org/bluecarbon-resources.
acute for the millions of people that live near a coastline" said VCS Chief Executive Officer David Antonioli. “By opening the doors to carbon finance, this new methodology will enable the removal of carbon from the atmosphere while at the same time facilitate the restoration of coastal wetlands to protect natural habitats and people’s livelihoods."
“The methodology will bring greater recognition to the critical role that coastal wetlands play in climate mitigation,” said Jeff Benoit, President and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries, “which can incentivize new funding streams for coastal restoration projects providing a wide range of ecosystem service benefits.”
“This restoration methodology potentially provides new opportunities to support large-scale projects like the Herring River Restoration Project,” said George Price, Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore. “By restoring tidal flow to the estuary, this project will not only result in ecological and social benefits, but also in a reduction of methane emissions. The climate benefits of tidal restoration projects like this one can now be realized and potentially earn financial support from the purchase of carbon offsets.”
Carbon credits are purchased by companies or individuals to offset the emissions they cannot reduce. Through the purchase of carbon credits, the carbon market can now support coastal habitat projects with a climate benefit.
“The carbon markets have already provided more than $1 billion in the past 10 years for forestry and other land use projects worldwide,” said Scott Settelmyer, Managing Director of TerraCarbon. “The coastal wetland restoration methodology allows project developers to tap into this innovative source of finance to help fund the restoration of tidal wetlands and seagrasses that are essential to fighting and adapting to climate change.”
“The restoration methodology is a critical step for these highly threatened ecosystems receiving the recognition they deserve for their climate mitigation importance,” said Dr. Emily Pidgeon, Conservation International. “This vital step will allow communities globally to receive financial benefits from restoring these importance coastal ecosystems.”
For more information about blue carbon or to view the Methodology for Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration, visit www.estuaries.org/bluecarbon/resources.
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