Over the last 10 years, Conservation International has led the development of the science, policy, finance, and partnerships that have established blue carbon ecosystems as a vital natural climate solution.
Building on this foundation, in 2022 Conservation International launched the International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) in Singapore to advance the science and develop the support systems now essentially needed to unlock the full potential of blue carbon for climate, communities and biodiversity.
The challenge of globally scaling up the restoration and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems demands a coordinated, multidisciplinary and multi-sector approach. By accelerating the application of blue carbon through research, capacity-building, and network development, the IBCI is committed to realizing the full potential of blue carbon ecosystems in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
2010
First introduction of blue carbon in a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) forum
CI and partners identify the critical importance of coastal wetlands to climate change mitigation and presented findings at the Climate Conference in Cancun, Mexico.
2011
Formation of the Blue Carbon Initiative
CI, IUCN and IOC-UNESCO form the Blue Carbon Initiative with the goal of mitigating climate change through marine ecosystem conservation. The partnership has been key in advancing the foundational science needed to understand the immense potential of blue carbon ecosystems in climate change mitigation.
2013
IPCC guidance
Blue carbon included in the new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines to countries on greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting
2014
Tool development
The Blue Carbon Initiative releases the first field manual for blue carbon, becoming an internationally recognized resource in multiple languages.
2015
Launch of the International Partnership for Blue Carbon
The partnership connects government agencies with NGOs, intergovernmental organizations and research institutions, with a joint vision to protect, sustainably manage and restore global coastal blue carbon ecosystems contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, ocean economies, and livelihoods of coastal communities.
2018
Blue carbon climate policy development
CI is instrumental in the development of enabling policy conditions for recognition and inclusion of mangroves and coastal wetlands in the Paris Accord and including blue carbon in countries commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
2020
Method development
CI and partners produce the first Verified Carbon Standards (VCS) methodology for blue carbon, allowing high quality coastal wetlands projects to access carbon finance via voluntary carbon offset mechanisms.
2022
Carbon project development
CI drives the first international blue carbon VCS offset credits generated for the voluntary carbon market through the management and conservation of 8,000 ha of mangroves in Cispata, Columbia.
2022
Launched at COP27, Nov 2022
Conservation International launched the International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) of the UNFCCC in November 2022, with support from Amazon, the Singapore Economic Development Board, and other partners.