would be equivalent to at least 10% of the reductions needed to The coastal zones, of which these blue carbon sinks are cen-
keep concentrations of CO
2
in the atmosphere below 450 ppm. tral for productivity, deliver a wide range of benefits to hu-
If managed properly, blue carbon sinks, therefore, have the po- man society: filtering water, reducing effects of coastal pol-
tential to play an important role in mitigating climate change. lution, nutrient loading, sedimentation, protecting the coast
from erosion and buffering the effects of extreme weather
The rate of loss of these marine ecosystems is much higher events. Coastal ecosystem services have been estimated to be
than any other ecosystem on the planet – in some instances worth over US$25,000 billion annually, ranking among the
up to four times that of rainforests. Currently, on average, be- most economically valuable of all ecosystems. Much of the
tween 2–7% of our blue carbon sinks are lost annually, a sev- degradation of these ecosystems not only comes from unsus-
en-fold increase compared to only half a century ago. If more tainable natural resource use practices, but also from poor
action is not taken to sustain these vital ecosystems, most may watershed management, poor coastal development practices
be lost within two decades. Halting degradation and restoring and poor waste management. The protection and restoration
both the lost marine carbon sinks in the oceans and slowing of coastal zones, through coordinated integrated manage-
deforestation of the tropical forests on land could result in ment would also have significant and multiple benefits for
mitigating emissions by up to 25%. health, labour productivity and food security of communities
in these areas.
Sustaining blue carbon sinks will be crucial for ecosystem-
based adaptation strategies that reduce vulnerability of hu- The loss of these carbon sinks, and their crucial role in man-
man coastal communities to climate change. Halting the de- aging climate, health, food security and economic develop-
cline of ocean and coastal ecosystems would also generate ment in the coastal zones, is therefore an imminent threat.
economic revenue, food security and improve livelihoods in It is one of the biggest current gaps to address under climate
the coastal zone. It would also provide major economic and change mitigation efforts. Ecosystem based management and
development opportunities for coastal communities around adaptation options that can both reduce and mitigate climate
the world, including extremely vulnerable Small Island De- change, increase food security, benefit health and subsequent
veloping States (SIDS). productivity and generate jobs and business are of major im-
portance. This is contrary to the perception that mitigation
Coastal waters account for just 7% of the total area of the and emission reduction is seen as a cost and not an invest-
ocean. However the productivity of ecosystems such as coral ment. Improved integrated management of the coastal and
reefs, and these blue carbon sinks mean that this small area marine environments, including protection and restoration
forms the basis of the world’s primary fishing grounds, sup- of our ocean’s blue carbon sinks, provides one of the stron-
plying an estimated 50% of the world’s fisheries. They provide gest win-win mitigation efforts known today, as it may pro-
vital nutrition for close to 3 billion people, as well as 50% of vide value-added benefits well in excess of its costs, but has
animal protein and minerals to 400 million people of the least not yet been recognized in the global protocols and carbon
developed countries in the world. trading systems
7
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