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
Showcase Event of the UN Environment Blue Forests Project
Organized by
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.
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:
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.
President, The Ocean Foundation
Former Seychelles Minister and Ambassador, Private Consultant/Civil Society
Director, Climate Change within the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Programme Director, Institute of Marine Research in Norway
Official, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Program Officer, The Ocean Foundation
Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Branch of UNEP’s Ecosystem Division Head
Chief Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Technical Advisor – Mangroves and Blue Carbon, Blue Ventures
Wetland scientist/geomorphologist
Manager, Ocean and Climate Change, IUCN
Ecosystem Service Manager, Conservation International Ecuador
Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF
Tracing the many pathways of how blue forests values have been recognized in policy and management on both the international and national / regional scale.
Exploring the social justice and communication components to community-led initiatives
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.
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.
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
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.
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