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Opportunities and risks of current carbon crediting methodologies
Herausgeber
Quelle
Schlagwörter
Küstenökosystem
Förderkennzeichen (FKZ)
3722 42 510 0
Forschungskennzahl
Zitation
Jennerjahn, T., Fallasch, F., Siemons, A., Wissner, N., Lauer, S., Reise, J., Liste, V., & Janas, L. (2026). Analysis of selected Blue Carbon projects in the voluntary carbon market. German Environment Agency. https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-8207
Zusammenfassung englisch
This report examines the risks and opportunities of using carbon crediting mechanisms to fund the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems. It evaluates seven projects registered in the voluntary carbon market, focusing on key challenges related to integrity risks such as additionality, quantification, permanence, safeguards, and double counting. Despite uncertainties in measurement methods, the report highlights that projects tend to adopt conservative estimates of carbon removals. Aimed at stakeholders in carbon crediting programmes, policymakers, and researchers, it emphasizes the need for improved data collection and peer-to-peer learning to enhance project outcomes.
Übersetzungen
Verbundene Publikation
Potential of Blue Carbon for global climate change mitigation
(German Environment Agency, 2024)
This publication explores the scientific dimensions of blue carbon (BC) for global climate mitigation. BC is defined and criteria for identifying BC measures are outlined based on a comprehensive analysis of current scientific literature. The potential of coastal ecosystems in mitigating climate change and their significance in shaping international climate policy are assessed, while evaluating the possibility of incorporating BC emissions and removals in national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. Evidence-based recommendations for integrating BC into robust climate strategies are presented, offering valuable insights for interested policy makers, researchers and climate advocates alike.
Funding conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems
(German Environment Agency, 2026)
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Potential of blue carbon for global climate mitigation - Factsheet
(German Environment Agency, 2025)
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The relevance of autochthonous vs. allochthonous carbon in Blue Carbon ecosystems for climate change mitigation
(German Environment Agency, 2025)
Blue Carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows, play a vital role in climate mitigation by storing atmospheric CO₂ in their soils.This paper highlights the critical need to distinguish between autochthonous (locally fixed) and allochthonous (externally sourced) carbon to ensure accurate carbon accounting. It states, that the inclusion of allochthonous carbon may overstate climate benefits and lead to over-crediting in carbon markets. To preserve environmental integrity, a conservative accounting approach is recommended, alongside stronger collaboration between scientific research and project developers.
Blue Carbon Ecosystems in Nationally Determined Contributions and national greenhouse gas reporting
(German Environment Agency, 2025)
This paper examines the integration of "Blue Carbon Ecosystems" (BCEs) such as mangroves and salt marshes into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Inventory Reports (NIRs). While developing countries are increasingly including BCEs in their NDCs, reporting in NIRs remains insufficient. Only seven countries account for BCE, with mangroves being the most commonly included. Reporting among EU member states is even more scarce – with only France and Malta reporting on BCEs. The paper, aimed at policymakers and climate experts, emphasizes the need for increased knowledge transfer and further scientific research to improve BCE reporting.