Accelerating mangrove conservation and restoration in Colombia and supporting expansion of blue carbon credits
In the last half-century, 50% of the world’s mangroves have been lost, resulting in carbon emissions, loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, and the loss of irreplaceable habitat for a rich diversity of species including fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Restoring and protecting mangroves is a transformative nature-based solution offering a win-win-win scenario for climate change mitigation, coastal resilience, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
In May 2021, Conservation International and partners CVS Carsucre, Invemar, Omacha, along with local stakeholders, launched the world’s first blue carbon project under VCS1 certifications in Cispatá called Vida Manglar. The project is anticipated to remove approximately 1 million metric tons of emissions over 30 years and bring needed financing that will help the community and local authorities protect and restore the region’s mangroves and biodiversity.
Over the next three years, the project will expand to include all mangrove areas in the Gulf of Morrosquillo by integrating Gulf’s northern coast. In the next year, activities will build the foundation for this expansion including:
- Developing the financial analysis of the expanded areas into the Vida Manglar carbon Crediting program, to identify funding needs and long-term income sources.
- Establishing biodiversity monitoring and reporting for the effective and improved management of expanded areas of mangroves.
Strengthening access to sustainably sourced mangrove-based goods and services for the local communities for long term incomes and livelihoods.
