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Linking the Science, Economics and Policy of Blue Carbon. Brian Murray Director for Economic Analysis Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University Oceans Day, COP 17 Durban, South Africa December 3, 2011. Coastal Blue Carbon Is Widespread.
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Linking the Science, Economics and Policy of Blue Carbon Brian Murray Director for Economic Analysis Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University Oceans Day, COP 17 Durban, South Africa December 3, 2011
…Coastal Habitat Protects Massive Amounts of Carbon Soil-carbon values for first meter of depth only (Total depth = up to several meters) For Comparison:
Potential Carbon Revenues at $15/ton CO2e Competition with agriculture and aquaculture
What’s Needed?Policies and Incentives for Blue Carbon Protection
Objectives: 1. Integrate Blue Carbon activities fully into the international policy and financing processes ofthe UNFCCC… 2. Integrate Blue Carbon activities fully into other carbon finance mechanisms such as the voluntary carbon market 3. Develop a network of Blue Carbon demonstration projects 4. Integrate Blue Carbon activities into other international, regional and national frameworks and policies, including coastal and marine … 5. Facilitate the inclusion of the carbon value of coastal ecosystems in the accounting of ecosystem services
Blue Carbon Introduced at SBSTA 34 in June • “Blue carbon: coastal marine systems” introduced to SBSTA by Papua New Guinea • Recognition that mangroves covered under REDD+ • Salt marshes possible under wetlands category • Sea grasses a little less clear • Call for more scientific information to inform future deliberations (2012)
SBSTA submission by IUCN on behalf of Nicholas Institute, Conservation International, Forest Trends, UNEP, CBD, Ramsar • Reaffirmed substantial knowledge of blue carbon systems to date • Carbon content • Rates of loss • Drivers of loss • Value for adaptation • Identified research gaps • Seagrasses – more needed on global and regional, national potential • Data collection • Mapping/geo-referenced data • Especially developing countries • Carbon sequestration potential of undisturbed wetlands • Methane estimate • Monitoring systems • Demonstration projects
Report published This week (copies available)