Advancing Blue Carbon Strategies in Europe:

As Europe intensifies efforts to combat climate change, wetlands and blue carbon ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. The recently concluded workshop, organized under the project "Studies in Support to the Implementation of the Mission – Wetlands and Blue Carbon" (CINEA/2023/OP/0005), gathered leading experts and stakeholders to address key challenges and opportunities in blue carbon monitoring and restoration.

Funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the project is being conducted by Trinomics B.V. in collaboration with Ricardo and Blue Carbon Lab. The workshop facilitated discussions on strengthening greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories for wetlands, developing an EU-wide monitoring roadmap for blue carbon, and assessing drivers of change in these vital ecosystems.

One of the key challenges identified was the inconsistency in GHG reporting for wetlands across EU Member States. Stakeholders emphasized the need for standardized methodologies and improved data collection to enhance transparency and accuracy. The workshop also explored how to overcome technical and financial barriers to integrating blue carbon into national inventories.

Another major focus was the development of a comprehensive monitoring framework. Experts stressed the importance of harmonizing data across Member States, leveraging advanced remote sensing technologies, and aligning monitoring efforts with EU policy frameworks such as the Green Deal and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. A collaborative approach to data-sharing and research coordination was identified as a critical step toward effective blue carbon governance.

Additionally, the workshop examined the economic aspects of blue carbon restoration. While carbon markets offer potential funding avenues, stakeholders agreed that additional financing mechanisms, such as government incentives and ecosystem service valuation, are essential to scale up restoration efforts. The discussion also underscored the importance of integrating blue carbon conservation into broader climate and biodiversity policies.

The insights from this workshop mark an important step toward more robust blue carbon strategies in Europe. As the EU advances its climate objectives, fostering collaboration among policymakers, scientists, and conservationists will be key to unlocking the full potential of wetlands and blue carbon ecosystems.

For a detailed summary of the discussions and findings, see the full workshop report