The critical role of Indonesia’s mangroves in the fight against climate change
Mangroves can sequester three to five times more carbon than tropical forests
and, if left undisturbed, can store and lock carbon in sediment for hundreds to
thousands of years. Beyond representing a valuable tool for carbon
sequestration, mangrove forests are one of the most productive ecosystems in the
world and provide critical ecosystem services such as coastline protection from
storm surge, stabilization against coastal erosion, and habitat for a diverse
range of native flora and fauna.
Home to over 20 percent of the world's mangroves, Indonesia's vast coastline
has faced unprecedented degradation in the last three decades. During this time,
roughly 40 percent of Indonesia’s mangroves have been lost due to unsustainable
forms of shrimp and fish aquaculture — leaving many former shrimp ponds
abandoned and local communities with little access to economic opportunities.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami also caused substantial
mangrove destruction in the Aceh region.
Collaborating on sustainability with communities
ClimeCo, a sustainability solutions provider and project
developer, is currently funding a locally led mangrove-reforestation project in
Indonesia in close partnership with
YAKOPI
(Yayasan Konservasi Persisir Indonesia) — an Indonesia-based
non-governmental organization responsible for planting and community engagement,
and PUR Projet — an on-the-ground project developer
providing critical oversight and guidance.
The YAKOPI mangrove project encompasses 196 villages and approximately 1,100
hectares in the Aceh and North Sumatra regions, providing investment in
local socio-economic development — including gender-equitable employment and
ecotourism. Additionally, it promotes the implementation of sustainable, locally
run pilot fisheries called silvofisheries — a form of sustainable aquaculture
that integrates planting, maintenance and protection of mangrove forests in
aquaculture ponds.
ClimeCo relies heavily on its partners’ local knowledge to identify best
practices and to implement proper planting techniques, such as recognizing and
utilizing healthy and vigorous native saplings known as propagules.
Community members collect the propagules and then return them to the villages,
where they’ve built large nurseries containing as many as 10,000 propagules.
When these have grown large enough to survive in the ground, the villagers
transport them to the reforestation sites to be planted. Project planting sites
will be monitored to ensure mangrove survival for the 20-year lifetime of the
project and are required to remain undisturbed for at least 30 years after
planting.
Restoring more than just mangroves
While the YAKOPI mangrove project is still relatively new, the social and
economic impacts have already been significant. During several visits to the
project site, it was apparent to ClimeCo and PUR Projet that YAKOPI’s work had
created the first form of income for women in several villages, profoundly
enhancing women's
empowerment
— particularly in areas without formal economies where villagers primarily
practice sustenance fishing. The communal mangrove nurseries run by the villages
have also created opportunities to strengthen social ties within villages that
were not socially close before.
The first planting phase of the project will reforest 1,100 hectares and be
complete by early 2024. The project is expected to generate high-quality carbon
credits
for 20 years, with the first issuance expected in 2025. Additionally, the
silvofisheries pilot program will be implemented towards the end of the project,
once mature mangroves are established.
ClimeCo is also working to connect one of our plastic
credit
partners in Indonesia with YAKOPI to identify ways to expand plastic collection
to YAKOPI's operations, creating another source of local revenue for many of the
local villages.
Ecosystem restoration through the voluntary carbon market
Companies are increasingly turning to nature-based
solutions
to restore ecosystems and drive climate, economic and ecological impacts. But
the rapid growth of carbon markets over the past five years has created its
share of
issues
— including a lack of standardization and understanding as to what constitutes a
‘good’ offset; and many new potential market
participants
are seeking to understand how to assess opportunities before making a
commitment.
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market — the "standard of
standards" for the VCM — recently released its Core Carbon
Principles and Assessment
Framework, which outlines a
standard for “high-integrity” carbon credits that are credible and trustworthy.
High-quality credits are also commonly defined as an actual reduction or removal
of CO2e that is third-party verified, real, additional, quantifiable, durable,
avoids leakage and is listed on a reputable carbon registry.
For ClimeCo, high-quality credits are derived from projects that represent
meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and/or CO2 removals associated with
activities that are scientifically credible and verifiable under the most
rigorous standards and that align with our company ethos of creating broader
social and environmental impacts. This means that in addition to achieving
proven carbon removal and storage, nature-based projects should also produce
positive social impacts by respecting, including and empowering indigenous
peoples and local communities (IPLCs). One of ClimeCo’s focus areas when
developing nature-based projects includes performing stakeholder engagement,
meaningfully addressing community requests and grievances, and only developing a
project where IPLCs welcome the activity.
Projects should also support the biodiversity of local natural ecosystems by,
for example, utilizing a mix of native plant species adapted for the conditions
of the planted area or by aiming to improve or protect a specific habitat type
or food source for local fauna.
Accessing nature-based project opportunities
Carbon credits are not intended to replace rapid decarbonization; but they do
play a critical role in accelerating progress toward the dual goals of
economy-wide decarbonization and nature-loss prevention. The global economy
needs more effective mechanisms to price the costs and uncertainties of
achieving these critical goals. In certain jurisdictions, regulated markets
provide market signals (such as cap and trade programs). The VCM is an
important, complementary option where regulatory markets still need to be
improved or developed. Ideally, VCM participants seek to mitigate real-time
impacts as a part of their ongoing GHG-reduction strategies.
To achieve a more sustainable and equitable future, companies must increase
their support of community-based work that prioritizes people and restores the
balance we've lost with nature; ClimeCo can support brands in quantifying
environmental benefits and connecting with the VCM to help finance projects to
improve people's lives and their environment. Business today will have
long-lasting effects on communities and the environment, and we must recognize
the interconnectedness of our actions and take responsibility for creating
positive change. Investing in sustainable practices, reducing waste and
emissions, and actively engaging with communities ensures that their needs and
perspectives are heard and incorporated into decision-making processes. By
prioritizing people and the planet, companies can improve their bottom line and
contribute to building a more just and resilient society for all.
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David Chen is Senior Manager of Nature-Based Solutions for ClimeCo — a US-based, global sustainability company advancing a low-carbon future through market-based solutions.
Emily Romano is Manager of Project Development for ClimeCo — a US-based, global sustainability company advancing a low-carbon future through market-based solutions.
Published May 10, 2023 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST