Communities, Climate, and
Coastal Ecosystems
Harnessing the Value of Blue Forests to Achieve Sustainable Livelihoods and Climate Action
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project
UN Environment Blue Forests Project
The UN Environment Blue Forests Project (BFP) is an initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) focused on harnessing the values associated with coastal carbon (e.g. ‘blue carbon’) and ecosystem services to achieve improved ecosystem management and climate action. With partners worldwide, the project was implemented through the years of 2015-2021, coordinating on-the-ground interventions and international policy engagement. The project supported innovative pilot programs in ecosystem service and carbon financing initiatives, while addressing key knowledge gaps and providing experience for greater global application. The aim of the BFP was to test and create nature-based tools and solutions that harnessing these values while mitigating for climate change. This project is an initiative of the GEF’s International Waters program and co-financed by its many project partners and managed by GRID-Arendal.
About the event
Through partners worldwide, the UNEP / GEF Blue Forests Project has explored and tested blue forests methodologies and approaches to harness ecosystem services and support carbon financing initiatives, while addressing key knowledge gaps and international policy engagement. The project results incorporate tools and solutions for the greater global application of blue carbon assessment and accounting, payment for ecosystem services, and enhancing capacity for a sustainable blue economy. The Communities, Climate, and Coastal Ecosystems event aims to share these experiences and lessons learned of the Blue Forests Project to assist with the development and replication of future initiatives.
By drawing on experiences from these project sites, this event will help to inform future projects by:
- Showcasing results from the UNEP/GEF Blue Forests Project
- Reviewing the current state of blue forests within international marine conservation, sustainability and climate policy
- Highlighting experiences from the Blue Forests Project sites
- Introducing the Blue Forests Solutions Toolkit
- Providing online networking opportunities for partners to connect
Event Recordings
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project – Day 1 – Session 1
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project – Day 1 – Session 2
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project – Day 2 – Session 1
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project – Day 2 – Session 2
Webinar #1: Blue Forests Policy
Webinar #2: Blue Forests Communities and Social Justice
Webinar #3: Blue Forests Science for the Oceans We Want
Webinar #4: New Technologies to Support Blue Forests Conservation
A Month of Blue Forests
This webinar series will expand upon the Blue Forests Project Showcase Event. This series will further explore the on-the-ground experiences from project sites and provide the knowledge, methods, and tools necessary for replicating the blue forests approach.
You can attend any or all webinars without needing to sign up many times, your sign-up for the showcase will do.
Register to the webinar series!
Meet Our Speakers
Mark J. Spalding, President of The Ocean Foundation is a member of the Ocean Studies Board, and the U.S. National Committee for the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA). He is serving on the Sargasso Sea Commission. Mark is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. And, he is an Advisor to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. In addition, he serves as the advisor to the Rockefeller Climate Solutions Fund and the Credit Suisse Rockefeller Ocean Engagement Fund (unprecedented ocean-centric investment funds). He is a member of the Pool of Experts for the UN World Ocean Assessment. He designed the first-ever blue carbon offset program, SeaGrass Grow. Mark is an expert on international environmental policy and law, ocean policy and law, and coastal and marine philanthropy.
Mark Spalding
President, The Ocean Foundation
Ronny Jumeau is a former Cabinet Minister and Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles.
He served twice as Ambassador to the United Nations, United States and Canada 2007-2021 and also ambassador at large for climate, ocean, sustainability and island issues 2012-2021.
He was Cabinet Secretary in the President’s office 1992-1998 and held several ministerial posts 1998-2007.
Amb Jumeau represented Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest fund helping developing countries address climate change 2019-2021.
He is currently Chair of SIDS DOCK, the SIDS global sustainable energy and climate resilience organisation.
He represented Seychelles in the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) 2007-2021, chairing it 2013 to 2015.
Amb Jumeau was a member of Seychelles’ delegations to the United Nations climate change conferences 2007-2020 (COP13-25) and chief spokesperson of the Alliance of Small Island States 2012-2014.
He served twice as Ambassador to the United Nations, United States and Canada 2007-2021 and also ambassador at large for climate, ocean, sustainability and island issues 2012-2021.
He was Cabinet Secretary in the President’s office 1992-1998 and held several ministerial posts 1998-2007.
Amb Jumeau represented Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world’s largest fund helping developing countries address climate change 2019-2021.
He is currently Chair of SIDS DOCK, the SIDS global sustainable energy and climate resilience organisation.
He represented Seychelles in the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) 2007-2021, chairing it 2013 to 2015.
Amb Jumeau was a member of Seychelles’ delegations to the United Nations climate change conferences 2007-2020 (COP13-25) and chief spokesperson of the Alliance of Small Island States 2012-2014.
Ronny Jumeau
Former Seychelles Minister and Ambassador, Private Consultant/Civil Society
Dr. Pacifica Achieng
Director, Climate Change within the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Peter Mosby Haugan is Programme Director for Global Development at Institute of Marine Research in Norway. He also holds a professorship in oceanography at the Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen. His professional background includes polar and climate research related to the ocean including ocean carbon cycling and ocean-based renewable energy. He is past chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and presently co-chairs the Expert Group of the High Level Panel on a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Peter Haugan
Programme Director, Institute of Marine Research in Norway
Stephanie Ockenden, an official in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), leading a portfolio on Ocean & Climate Change Policy and International Evidence, which includes preparations towards the UK Presidency of COP26 and Ocean Action under the UK G7 Presidency.
Stephanie Ockenden
Official, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Ben Scheelk manages The Ocean Foundation’s Blue Resilience Initiative, Fiscal Sponsorship Program, and other internal programs related to protected areas, high seas governance, and sustainable tourism. Ben joined TOF after working as the project manager and executive assistant for Alexandra Cousteau at Blue Legacy International. Ben holds a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from The George Washington University. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a BA in Earth Science and International Studies with Honors. Ben serves as Chairman on the Board of Directors for The Commons, a 501(c)(3) that empowers restoration stakeholders with access to high quality digital services and open tool kits. He also serves as Treasurer on the Advisory Board for Ocean Connectors, which uses classroom activities, field trips, and “knowledge exchanges” to connect youth and build global stewardship in San Diego and Mexico.
Ben Scheelk
Program Officer, The Ocean Foundation
Leticia Carvalho heads the Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Branch of UNEP’s Ecosystem Division. Previously, she worked for the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, developing policies, plans and programmes for the control of environmental pollutants, and for the implementation of the conventions on chemicals and hazardous wastes in Brazil. Leticia has a degree in Oceanography from the University of Rio Grande Do Sul, and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from the University of Brasilia.
Leticia Carvalho
Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Branch of UNEP’s Ecosystem Division Head
James Kairo is currently a Chief Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and a member of the International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group. Dr Kairo initiated his university career at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, where he obtained BSc and MSc in Biology. He then obtained a PhD at the University of Brussels (Belgium) on the theme of ecology and restoration of mangrove systems. Over the last 10 years, Dr Kairo has contributed immensely to new knowledge on the ecology and restoration of mangrove systems in the WIO region by producing more than 20 peer reviewed publications. It is through his work that he has been invited to transfer mangrove reforestation and management technologies to several other countries in the region including Mozambique, Egypt and Tanzania.
James Kairo
Chief Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Leah Glass works for Blue Ventures as their Technical Advisor for mangroves and blue carbon. For the last 8 years she has been based in Madagascar, working together with colleagues and grassroots community associations to develop some of the world's first blue carbon projects. As a practitioner, she has acquired a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges relating to locally-led blue carbon projects. Leah is passionate about ensuring that marine management makes sense for the people whose livelihoods depend on the ocean.
Leah Glass
Technical Advisor – Mangroves and Blue Carbon, Blue Ventures
Steve Crooks is a wetland scientist / geomorphologist with 25 years of experience in the response of coastal wetland systems to human impacts and climate change. Steve specializes in translating scientific information to formats accessible to policy and decision makers as well as senior-level managers. He also works within organizations, governments, and agencies to develop teams and initiatives that support capacity building. He regularly briefs US and Foreign governments, government agencies, and Federal, State, and local leaders. He was a lead author of the IPCC 2013 Wetland Supplement. He is an Approved Methodology Expert to the verified Carbon Standard. He leads the U.S. interagency/science community Coastal Wetland Carbon Working Group, incorporating coastal wetlands within the U.S. Inventory of GHG emissions and sinks. He also co-chairs the carbon advisory panel for the Global Environmental Facility Blue Forest Project and is the co-founder of International Blue Carbon Initiative.
Steve Crooks
Wetland scientist/geomorphologist
Dorothée Herr is the Manager for Oceans and Climate Change at the Global Marine and Polar Programme (GMPP) at IUCN – the International Union for Conservation of Nature. She joined IUCN in 2009 and is now leading the IUCN’s international policy engagement on marine climate change issues including ocean acidification and Blue Carbon, especially within the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Ms Herr has authored and co-authored a suite of articles and reports on ocean acidification in the context of the UNFCCC, Blue Carbon as well as on coastal and marine Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). Ms Herr is also working on developing new innovative financing tools for coastal and marine conservation efforts, and has developed with a team of financial experts the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF). Ms Herr received her masters degree in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University, UK.
Dorothee Herr
Manager, Ocean and Climate Change, IUCN
Montserrat Alban is an Ecosystem Service Manager in Conservation International - Ecuador who works with the design and implementation of economic incentives for ecosystem service conservation, marine conservation agreements, financial strategies for marine protected areas, socioeconomic monitoring, and freshwater services analysis. In order to keep her feet on the ground, Montserrat works supporting women organizations and in the engagement of local communities into environmentally friendly markets. She is currently working on understanding the social dynamics around marine ecosystems and how they respond to external shocks
Montserrat Alban
Ecosystem Service Manager, Conservation International Ecuador
Leah Karrer is an international conservationist dedicated to promoting the economic and social realities of natural resource decision-making. After serving as Deputy Chief Economist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Leah joined the Global Environment Facility as Senior Program Officer where she focuses on multi-million investments in issues including Circular Economy. She holds a Ph.D. on People & Conservation from Duke University.
Leah Karrer
Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF
Webinars Agenda
All webinars will start at 10:00 am EDT (New York)
Other timezones: 15:00pm BST (London), 16:00pm CEST (Oslo), 00:00am AEST (Sydney – Next day)
- June 17, 2021 Blue Forests Policy
Tracing the many pathways of how blue forests values have been recognized in policy and management on both the international and national / regional scale.
- June 24, 2021 Blue Forests and Social Justice
Exploring the social justice and communication components to community-led initiatives
- July 1, 2021 Blue Forests Science for the Oceans We Want
This webinar will showcase and discuss critical research components needed for successful blue carbon projects. Future directions and related fields of research (beyond carbon) will also be considered.
- July 8, 2021 New Technologies to Support Blue Forests Conservation
This webinar will showcase recent technological innovations in monitoring and mapping coastal and marine ecosystems. Participants will also experience a “virtual field trip” of a Blue Forests Project site and panel discussion with leaders in drone and remote mapping, exploring how technology can be used as cost-effective tool for blue forests and blue carbon projects.
- July 15, 2021 Oceanic Blue Carbon
This webinar will showcase the recent advances and potential future directions for oceanic blue carbon. An expert panel will discuss how the conservation and restoration of life in the ocean may contribute to climate change mitigation. Additionally, two innovative and unprecedented reports will be launched at this event – national assessments of oceanic blue carbon science and policy in the United Arab Emirates
Our Partners
AGEDI works in close coordination with long-term partners Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to maximise information exchange for improved decision-making at the local, national, regional and global levels.Today, UNEP champions AGEDI on an international level, while EAD supports AGEDI on a local level and helps pave the way for environmental sustainability efforts in developing countries across the Arab world.AGEDI is a specialised organisation with an invaluable network that offers considerable access and reach. It works to enables participation in and support for an active network of thought and action leaders from global environmental information networking movements including governmental, inter-governmental, non-governmental and private organisations
Established in 2008, Blue Climate Solutions is a non-profit project of The Ocean Foundation, and is the world’s first organization with a sole focus on blue carbon.
Blue Carbon is carbon associated with the marine environment through coastal and ocean ecosystems
Blue Climate Solutions mission is the promotion and conservation of the world’s oceans, it’s ecosystems and biodiversity, as a proactive and viable action to reduce the impact of climate change. Our objective is to protect and enhance the natural carbon sinks provided by coastal and ocean ecosystems and organisms.
Blue Ventures develops transformative approaches for catalysing and sustaining locally led marine conservation. We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, and are committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is based in the capital city of Darwin at the heart of Australia's tropical north. It is the Australian university located most closely to the Asia-Pacific region.
CDU has all the advantages of a dual-sector university including flexibility in study options – as a recognised leader in online education – creativity, adaptability and freedom to embrace the history and traditions of First Australians and the multitude of nations represented by our international student population.
Since 2001 working for the conservation of nature to ensure human well-being in Ecuador
Conservación Internacional (CI) is an NGO with a presence in more than 30 countries. In 2001, we established our program in Ecuador and since then, the program works through science, strategic alliances and communication, for the conservation of natural ecosystems in order to promote healthy and sustainable societies to guarantee human well-being.
Conservación Internacional (CI) is an NGO with a presence in more than 30 countries. In 2001, we established our program in Ecuador and since then, the program works through science, strategic alliances and communication, for the conservation of natural ecosystems in order to promote healthy and sustainable societies to guarantee human well-being.
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892.[14] In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist James Buchanan Duke established The Duke Endowment and the institution changed its name to honor his deceased father, Washington Duke.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan, KKP) is a government ministry that organises marine affairs and fisheries within the Indonesian government.
IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 17,000 experts. This diversity and vast expertise makes IUCN the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
KMFRI was established to conduct research on aquatic systems covering both marine and freshwater. The Institute has grown from staff strength of two Research Scientists at inception to the current 122 scientists. KMFRI’s approved staff establishment stands at 1,350 employees but the current staffing position is 839 for both research and support staff which creates a gap of 511 employees. The current staffing levels are way below the required staff to meet the expected increasing demand for research. During the period 2016-2020, it is proposed that KMFRI be strengthened and reorganized with a view to improving service delivery. KMFRI infrastructure capacity has also expanded from two research stations based in Mombasa and Kisumu with acquisition of seven additional stations.
NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them.
From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need when they need it.
As the only community foundation for the ocean, The Ocean Foundation’s 501(c)(3) mission is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. We focus our collective expertise on emerging threats in order to generate cutting edge solutions and better strategies for implementation.
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is an independent public policy think tank advancing a well-governed, peaceful, economically sustainable and globally engaged Africa.
Our work spans foreign policy, governance, the environment, economic policy and social development, linking local experiences with global debates. Our African-generated knowledge provides local and regional decision-makers with independent, evidence-based options for Africa’s future development.
Our work spans foreign policy, governance, the environment, economic policy and social development, linking local experiences with global debates. Our African-generated knowledge provides local and regional decision-makers with independent, evidence-based options for Africa’s future development.
We provide an open platform for the public to engage with these issues, and facilitate discussions between a wide variety of partners.
Stockholm University is a public university in Stockholm, Sweden, founded as a college in 1878, with university status since 1960. With over 33,000 students at four different faculties: law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, it is one of the largest universities in Scandinavia.
A public institution founded in 1971, UBO is a medium-sized university (around 23,000 students) offering a wide range of programmes in all fields. It is a member of the Université Bretagne Loire (UBL), a regional coordination structure for higher education.
Brest is one of the world's marine science capitals and is home to 60% of French marine researchers, as well as several major organizations such as IFREMER and IPEV. The city is also famous for its sailing activities. Brittany’s economic development is driven by the agri-food, health, and telecommunications sectors.
UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre is a world leader in biodiversity knowledge. It works with scientists and policy makers worldwide to place biodiversity at the heart of environment and development decision-making to enable enlightened choices for people and the planet.
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
At the heart of our agency’s mission is our purpose—the ultimate answer to why we do what we do. Everything we do—across our broad and diverse agency—is intended to help sustain forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Why? Because our stewardship work supports nature in sustaining life. This is the purpose that drives our agency’s mission and motivates our work across the agency. It’s been there from our agency’s very beginning, and it still drives us.
WWF works to help local communities conserve the natural resources they depend upon; transform markets and policies toward sustainability; and protect and restore species and their habitats. Our efforts ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decision-making from a local to a global scale.
WWF connects cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field, more than one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.
Today, human activities put more pressure on nature than ever before, but it’s also people who have the power to change this trajectory. Together, we can address the greatest threats to life on this planet and protect the natural resources that sustain and inspire us.
Counterpart partners with leaders, organizations, and social sector networks to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which people thrive. For more than 55 years, we’ve been supporting solution creators – our counterparts – in more than 65 countries around the world.
Since our founding in 1965, we’ve embraced a fundamental premise: creating local ownership and building problem-solving capabilities at the local level is the only way to create positive and lasting impact. Counterpart takes a building block approach with our local partners to support stronger and more resilient communities by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and fostering multi-sector community partnerships.
PICTURES FROM ABOVE
We are a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about creating 4th generation communication and data collection and analysis tools for enhanced engagement in interactive means.
We are a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about creating 4th generation communication and data collection and analysis tools for enhanced engagement in interactive means.
Silvestrum Climate Associates, LLC is a research consulting firm and a center of excellence with a passionate team of experts in diverse fields bringing together decades of experience to help address the challenges of climate change and the opportunities for nature-based solutions across the globe.
PICTURES FROM ABOVE
We are a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about creating 4th generation communication and data collection and analysis tools for enhanced engagement in interactive means.
We are a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about creating 4th generation communication and data collection and analysis tools for enhanced engagement in interactive means.
Silvestrum Climate Associates, LLC is a research consulting firm and a center of excellence with a passionate team of experts in diverse fields bringing together decades of experience to help address the challenges of climate change and the opportunities for nature-based solutions across the globe.
