Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, saltwater marshes – these and other ‘blue forests’ are vital to coastal and island communities around the world
National Policy Approaches
In acknowledgement of the multiple important benefits and services that blue forests ecosystems support, countries are developing and implementing national and subnational policies that encourage their conservation and restoration. This includes a wide range of existing policies and management measures focused on blue forests ecosystems and not necessarily a focus on their role in mitigating for the impacts of climate change.
Countries and national level stakeholders can assess if incorporating the value of blue forests and blue carbon into existing policies and determining if new policies are needed, and how they can be aligned with existing coastal regulations, policies, and priorities, such as the conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands alongside, marine protected areas, coastal protection, biodiversity provision, and adaptation to climate change.
Below are the key questions about developing national policy initiatives.
Understanding national policy opportunities:
What tools exist to understand national blue forests options?
Targeted policy assessments, including research on existing initiatives and funding priorities can help government, civil society and other national level stakeholders develop an understating of options for incorporating of the value of blue forests and blue carbon into management and policy.
Recognition in policy: What examples exist of how blue carbon can be incorporated into policy and management?
Countries are incorporating the value of blue carbon into existing policies in support of the conservation, restoration, and management of coastal wetlands. This includes national mangrove management plans, fines for habitat degradation and national GHG accounting.
Legal frameworks: How is the conservation and management of mangrove forests recognized in national legal frameworks?
Mangroves can be affected by a wide range of activities and industries. They can be both essential to local communities and national priorities. This complexity is reflected in the multitude of frameworks and legal tools that are employed to manage mangrove and their resources.
National communications: What tools for communicating blue forests values at the national level are available?
Effective communication about environmental issues can influence national priorities and polices related to the management of blue forests ecosystems. Examples of tools for communicating the value of blue forests and blue carbon at the national level include infographics, reports, fact sheets, policy briefs, social media, press releases, networks, and engagement with government ministries.