Introducing BC+: a trailblazing initiative to make thriving coastal blue carbon ecosystems a pillar of economic success

Conservation International & The Nature Conservancy join forces to accelerate regenerative business models that support coastal conservation

ARLINGTON, Va. (Feb. 4, 2025) – Today, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Conservation International announced a pioneering initiative to save coastal blue carbon ecosystems and improve local economies.

Blue Carbon Plus (BC+ ) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration that, through the study and development of business models that are both financially profitable and ecologically regenerative, will catalyze a transition to a more sustainable and prosperous economic future where nature and humanity thrive together. Through this model, local communities will protect nature because coastal habitat conservation and restoration are a fundamental part of their business.

In partnership with Hatch Blue, BC+ is currently seeking applications for the first-ever BC+ Challenge, a competition to identify and support promising early-stage projects and community-led businesses that rely on the conservation and restoration of blue carbon coastal ecosystems. Winners of the BC+ Challenge will be offered a combination of grant funding, technical assistance and coaching, and exposure to a large network of blue carbon-focused investors and partners.

Over the next 4 years, BC+ plans to develop a minimum of five scalable models where sustainably produced commodities explicitly rely on healthy coastal ecosystems as the primary investment focus.  As founding partners, TNC and Conservation International will provide experience and networks that BC+ can leverage to better engage governments and financial institutions on increasing investment in innovative, regenerative blue carbon business models that support coastal conservation.

“We are excited to partner with Conservation International on a groundbreaking initiative demonstrating that business innovation can drive coastal ecosystem conservation and community benefits,” said Matthew Arnold, Global Head of Impact Finance & Markets at The Nature Conservancy. “BC+ brings together expertise in investment, blue carbon science, and practical, on-the-ground conservation. Through collaboration, we are advancing scalable blue carbon business models that channel sustainable finance into communities, ensuring that conservation efforts are not just viable but transformative.”

“Blue carbon” refers to the carbon dioxide captured and stored within marine ecosystems. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, which include mangroves, seagrasses, tidal marshes, and kelp, are particularly vital for biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services, yet are increasingly threatened by coastal development, aquaculture expansion, shifting ocean conditions, and pollution. Traditional blue carbon projects rely on alternative livelihoods or carbon finance, which many high-potential areas lack the necessary conditions to access. BC+ tackles these challenges by scaling business models that tightly weave together protection and production goals, making coastal habitat preservation an integral component of economic success.

“Over the past few years, blue carbon has emerged as a powerful solution for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and community resilience,” said Daniela Raik, Executive Vice President of Field Programs at Conservation International. “With the support of ORCA in launching BC+, we are now in position to link scalable business models to conservation, allowing us to simultaneously boost the economies of local communities and conserve coastal ecosystems worldwide.”

The decline of coastal blue carbon ecosystems deprives communities of essential ecosystem services, endangers biodiversity, and releases up to 1.9 gigatons of greenhouse gasses annually. By solving the pain points that exist in the carbon finance pipeline, BC+ can catalyze investment in coastal conservation and restoration. By 2050, BC+ aims to contribute to the conservation and restoration of up to 16.9 million hectares of mangrove, tidal marsh, and seagrass; realize climate benefits equivalent to the storage of up to 2.2 gigatons of CO2; and increase incomes for more than 50 million people.

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About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Go to Conservation.org for more, and follow our work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

About TNC: The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

About Hatch Blue: Hatch Blue is leading sustainable growth and innovation in aquaculture by bringing together a range of offerings, including tailored investments, bespoke consulting, diverse accelerator programs, and distinctive storytelling & marketing expertise. Their delivery of the Blue Carbon Plus Challenge will add to their near decade of experience in delivering accelerators, collaboration with forward-thinking and innovative ecosystem stakeholders, and provide the tools for disruptive ventures to scale and succeed.