Story | 20 Nov, 2018

Pathways for implementation of Blue Carbon initiatives to be discussed at European Parliament in November

On November 27th, IUCN-Med and IUCN Europe Brussels, together with the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate change, will organize an event to provide a forum for discussing with EU Member States and stakeholders on the role of these coastal and marine ecosystems for climate mitigation.

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Photo: © A. Meropi

With the 2015 Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) behind us, countries now need to focus on its implementation and overall commitments to reduce emissions and enhance adaptation programs. The results from the LIFE project BlueNatura will be presented, and provide the base for the discussion. Experts will present an overview on the knowledge of Blue carbon ecosystems in Europe and showcase current initiatives for avoiding and reduction CO2 emissions, especially in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, as well as experiences of countries that have already incorporated blue carbon into National Green House gas Inventories. The roundtable discussion will examine priorities, potential gaps and opportunities to support the integration of Blue carbon into European policies.

Blue Carbon, the carbon absorbed and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems such as tidal marshes and seagrasses from European Seas, represents a large natural carbon sink.  Coastal and marine ecosystems and their important role as carbon sinks are, re-emphasized in the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need to optimize management measures to conserve and improve the conservation status of these habitats that act as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases. Their sink capacity can contribute to achieving countries NDCs in terms of mitigation, as well as support relevant adaptation measures. Some coastal management projects also show potential for selling carbon credits via the voluntary carbon market, as well as attracting other innovative financing mechanisms. They also represent a link between two of the key environmental challenges of our time: climate change and biodiversity loss.

To register to the event, click HERE

Find out more about Blue Carbon HERE

Blue Carbon InitiativePhoto: Blue Carbon Initiative

 

 

 

 

Within the framework of

Life EUPhoto: Life EU

Life Blue NaturaPhoto: Life Blue Natura

 

 

 

 

With the co-financial support from Mava Foundation and Fundacion Cespa

mavaPhoto: mava

 

fundacion cepsaPhoto: fundacion cepsa