Synergies between Coastal Conservation and Climate Solutions

Healthy coastal and marine ecosystems do not only enhance our resilience against impacts of climate change, they also help the ocean to store carbon and stabilise our climate. At the same time, they are habitats and nurseries for numerous marine species.

Around the world, many countries are working actively on nature-based solutions: They are taking steps to restore and protect seagrass meadows, algae or mangroves in order to harness their function as carbon sinks - combined with many other benefits, including the conservation of biodiversity. Germany, for example, invests in the restoration of seagrass meadows and salt marshes along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts in the framework of its Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity. Internationally, mangrove restoration is supported through numerous initiatives, including projects funded by Germany.

The potential of blue carbon has already been reflected in some countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions and Adaptation Plans, also inspired by the Blue NDC Challenge. This event will highlight best practices and potentials, policy requirements as well as means of implementation in a global context.