BLUE CARBON FINANCING OF

MANGROVE CONSERVATION IN THE

ABIDJAN CONVENTION REGION
A FEASIBILITY STUDY

NICHOLAS INSTITUTE
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY SOLUTIONS 1
 Blue Carbon Financing of Mangrove Conservation in the
Abidjan Convention Region: A Feasibility Study

Editor:
Tanya Bryan, GRID-Arendal

Co-editor:
Abou Bamba, Coordinator, Convention for Cooperation in the
Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and
Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central
and Southern Africa Region (Abidjan Convention)

Authors:
John Virdin, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy
Solutions, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Tibor Vegh, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy
Solutions, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Connie Y. Kot, Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab (MGEL), Nicholas
School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Jesse Cleary, Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab (MGEL), Nicholas
School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Patrick N. Halpin, Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab (MGEL),
Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham,
NC, USA
Christopher Gordon, Institute for Environment and Sanitation
Studies, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of
Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
Marie-Christine Cormier-Salem, IRD (French Institute
of Research for Development, UMR PALOC, IRD/MNHN,
Université Sorbonne, Paris, France
Adelina Mensah, Institute for Environment and Sanitation
Studies, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of
Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

Reviewer:
Linwood Pendleton, Marine Ecosystem Services Partnership
and Université de Bretagne Occidentale
Yannick Beaudoin, Chief Scientist, GRID-Arendal

Suggested citation: UNEP 2016. Blue Carbon Financing of

Mangrove Conservation in the Abidjan Convention Region: A
Feasibility Study. United Nations Environment Programme,
Abidjan Convention Secretariat and GRID-Arendal, Nairobi,
Abidjan and Arendal.

ISBN: 978-82-7701-163-9

Disclaimer
The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the
views or policies of UNEP or contributory organizations. The
designations employed and the presentations do not imply
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP
or contributory organizations concerning the legal status of
any country, territory, city, company or area or its authority, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

2
Contents

5 Foreword
6 Executive Summary and Key Recommendations
8 Acknowledgements

9 1. Introduction: The global importance of mangroves and the opportunity

for the Abidjan Convention region

13 2. The global context: an overview of international payment mechanisms

for blue carbon

16 3. Blue carbon in West, Central and Southern Africa

16 3.1 Social and cultural values of blue carbon environments in West, Central and Southern Africa
22 3.2 Analysis of blue carbon stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa
35 3.3 Regional policy frameworks for blue carbon in West, Central and Southern Africa

37 4. Key messages and recommendations: a road map to capturing the

potential for blue carbon payments in West, Central and Southern Africa

41 References

44 Appendix 1. Summary of financing options for blue carbon conservation

47 Appendix 2. Methodology and detailed results of mangrove conservation economic analysis

3
4
Foreword

‘Blue Carbon’, both as a concept and approach, has evolved With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals
greatly over the past seven years, since first reports highlighting framework and the Paris Climate Agreement, blue carbon
Blue Carbon were released in 2009. As a result, the global habitats in the Abidjan Convention region will be a significant
community has become increasingly aware of the importance factor with respect to carbon sequestration, maintenance
to natural health and social prosperity of certain coastal of ecosystem health and enabling sustainable livelihoods.
vegetated ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, sea grass Blue carbon ecosystems and their related services are
meadows and salt marshes. These natural ecosystems provide already being included in national reporting mechanisms
a variety of clear benefits to local communities and societies related to both the United Nations Framework Convention
at large, including (amongst many others) food from fisheries, on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development
medicines, construction material and protection from storm Goals. This constitutes a clear indication at the global level
surges and coastal erosion. Through the research associated of the emphasis being placed on the role of healthy marine
with blue carbon, these habitats have been recognized as ecosystems in both mitigating and adapting to climate
a significant natural store of carbon, a critical function with change, and in contributing to sustainable development.
respect to climate change mitigation. This has led to an Together UN Environment, the Abidjan Convention and
increase in innovative efforts to conserve these habitats and other key partners and stakeholders must transform
to ensure the integrity of the carbon they store by avoiding national, regional and global policy efforts into tangible
conversion or destruction by incentivizing communities and actions on the ground. The challenges are complex and yet
countries through financial mechanisms like REDD+ (Reducing the opportunities are clear.
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation).
This report builds on the long standing role of both the
In the west, central and southern region of coastal Africa, Abidjan Convention and the United Nations Environment
the large, intact mangrove areas have attracted particular Programme, along with its community of international
attention. From the southern border of Mauritania down partners, to support countries in raising awareness and
to the northern border of Angola, extensive mangrove devising policies and concrete actions that acknowledge
forests have been providing valuable physical and cultural and integrate the importance of ‘blue carbon’ habitats
benefits for generations. These benefits have been difficult like mangroves. The report also highlights persistent
to incorporate into conventional decision-making processes, knowledge gaps that hinder the ability of decision makers
leading to policies that have resulted habitat loss and to define proper actions that could support achievement
increased vulnerability of both the human and natural of Sustainable Development Goals while maintaining
systems. The more easily quantified economic benefits of the health and integrity of these precious habitats for
converting mangroves to utilitarian applications such as generations to come. It is worth noting that this report
deforestation for agriculture, firewood provision or building is very timely for the region as the Abidjan Convention
of coastal infrastructure, have in the past overshadowed the is at the final stage of the development of an additional
less obvious yet as or more valuable qualitative benefits that protocol on the sustainable management of mangroves
are inherent in these natural systems. in its geographic scope. This is a unique experience which
needs to be brought to the attention of other region in the
Countries of the west, central and southern African coastal world where mangroves ecosystems is an asset for carbon
region have recently prioritized mangrove conservation sequestration.
through decisions of the Convention for Cooperation in
the Protection, Management and Development of the Catalyzing the financial, socio-cultural and natural value of
Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of ‘blue carbon’ systems such as the mangrove forests of west,
the west, central and southern Africa Region (the Abidjan central and southern Africa, is an impressive opportunity
Convention). The Abidjan Convention has become the key for a region so well-endowed with such habitats. Innovating
regional mechanism to enable the coherent, transboundary towards a socially and ecologically sustainable world will
coordination of efforts aimed at protecting and sustainably depend on society’s ability to broaden the definitions
developing mangrove rich areas. From this regional of value and incorporate already available ‘natural
framework, efforts to support national to community level infrastructure’. The countries and communities of West,
understanding and action to help recognize, demonstrate Central and Southern Africa can lead the world with such
and capture the critical social, economic and environmental innovation, a leadership that will be critical to the success of
benefits of healthy mangrove forests. a vital global transition towards the ‘Future We Want’.

Erik Solheim
UNEP Executive Director

5
 Executive Summary and Key Recommendations
Introduction and objectives of the report securing international payments for their conservation and
Coastal vegetated ecosystems such as mangrove forests, avoided greenhouse gas emissions.
seagrass meadows and salt marshes have long benefited
coastal communities and fisheries, and in recent years have Blue Carbon in West, Central and Southern
been recognized internationally for their significant capacity Africa
to sequester and store carbon (i.e. ‘blue carbon’) – at rates The coast of West, Central and Southern Africa contains
that surpass those of tropical forests. Yet these ecosystems approximately 14 per cent of the world’s mangrove area, with
are being converted rapidly, with current trends projected to the region’s most extensive mangroves located in Nigeria,
lead to a 30 to 40 percent loss of tidal marshes and seagrasses Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon and Gabon. Throughout the
over the next 100 years and nearly all unprotected mangroves. region, human occupation of mangroves and evidence of their
Current annual mangrove deforestation has been estimated multiple uses (for food, wood, building material, transport,
to emit 240 million tons of carbon dioxide - equivalent to etc.) are attested as far back as 5000 BP (Camara, 2010). Since
emissions from the use of 588 million barrels of oil or from this time mangrove forests have provided services to support
50.5 million passenger vehicles, for example. For this reason, the wellbeing of coastal communities in the region, including
financing mechanisms to pay those tropical countries that (among others): provisioning services such as support to
have significant blue carbon resources to reduce greenhouse fisheries and food production, fuelwood, health products
gas emissions from deforestation, have also been explored as (leaves and fruits in medicinal and cosmetics uses); regulating
a means to fund mangrove conservation. services such as erosion control, protection against storms,
water flow regulation and waste treatment; and cultural and
This report explores the potential of international carbon recreational services such as spiritual benefits from sacred
finance mechanisms to help fund mangrove conservation sites and totemic species for example, aesthetic benefits
along the coast of West, Central and Southern Africa that (e.g. myths, songs and poems inspired by the mangrove) and
is covered by the Abidjan Convention – from the southern tourism/eco-tourism for example related to wildlife viewing.
border of Mauritania down to the northern border of Angola
– and the scale of economic benefits that this conservation Along the coast traditional ecological knowledge of mangrove
might provide for communities and countries in the forests and resources is well developed, for example related
region. Extensive mangrove forests in this region have long to fish breeding, lunar calendars, the quantity and quality
provided wide-ranging benefits to coastal communities, of water, etc., as are a diversity of customary mangrove
including support to fisheries, protection of towns and management and tenure systems, some collectively owned
structures from flooding and erosion, as well as a range of and others individually, all reflecting the ethnic heterogeneity
cultural and spiritual benefits in different contexts. However, of the region. Often mangrove forests are governed by the
as these benefits are not always recognized in traditional authority of local communities, through context-specific
assessments or valuations, as in so many areas of the world, institutions that include varied forms of both collective or
mangrove forests in West, Central and Southern Africa have individual ownership. In some cases, the land upon which
become vulnerable to conversion into other systems that a mangrove forest grows may be owned by one family, the
support more measurable or readily apparent benefits, mangrove trees by another, while access to the non-timber
such as deforestation for agriculture, fuelwood or coastal products may be vested in yet another group. In some cases,
development. In response, many countries throughout the traditional authority is in charge of the distribution of the
region have prioritized mangrove conservation in policies benefits from the area through decision-making and conflict
and laws, in some cases with the support of development resolution, while in other cases it is the family or the clan who
partners. In this context, the growing recognition of the undertake this role. It may seem that due to the difficulties in
overall range of benefits that the region’s mangrove forests accessing mangroves, ‘modern’ public institutions are absent.
provide to the international community could potentially On the contrary, it is their multiplication with competitive
provide a new source of support to communities’ and authorities of jurisdiction, from local to international levels,
countries’ conservation efforts. However, exploring this each of them with their own designs for the environment
possibility will require a minimum level of key information and development, that leads to conflicting policies and
and knowledge on the global benefits of the region’s overlapping bureaucracies, weak law enforcement and,
mangroves – where little has been documented relative to globally, that contributes to poor governance of mangroves.
the rest of the world.
As settlements and eventually cities have developed and
This report aims to provide a first step in that direction, aiming expanded along the coasts of West, Central and Southern
to increase the knowledge about blue carbon stocks in West, Africa, so too have the overlapping governance institutions for
Central and Southern Africa and the steps that interested mangroves, and the rates of deforestation. Coastal population
communities and countries in the region could take towards densities have grown, notably in many of the countries with

6
the largest areas of mangrove forests, translating in many cases Southern Africa was undertaken. This considers the potential
into conversion of these ecosystems to urban settlements and payments from the international community for blue carbon,
infrastructure. While it is difficult to quantify mangrove loss as well as the opportunity costs of conservation, i.e. the
due to data limitations (and even more so for seagrass and benefits of conversion to agriculture. The additional benefits
salt marshes), average estimates suggest some 25 percent that intact mangrove forests provide, such as supporting
loss between 1980 and 2006, and the first workshop on west, the region’s fisheries, were not included due to lack of data.
central and southern African mangroves held in Ghana in Hence, this analysis should be considered conservative and
2014, suggested a 2 to 7 percent average annual rate of loss. indicative. However, even without including values for the
The best available data suggest that the region currently numerous benefits of intact mangroves in addition to blue
contains some 1.97 million hectares of mangroves which store carbon storage and sequestration, the analysis suggests that
854 million metric tons of carbon in above- and below-ground conservation of mangroves in the region at current coverage
biomass and the top meter of soil, some 4.8 million hectares is economically viable when factoring in opportunity costs
of seagrass storing 673 million metric tons of carbon and 1.2 of conversion as high as US$ 460 per hectare, with an
million hectares of salt marshes storing 303 million metric tons average of US$ 221 per hectare. On the basis of the potential
of carbon – or some 1.83 billion metric tons of blue carbon. payments for blue carbon alone, most countries in West,
Based on the best estimates of mangrove deforestation rates Central and Southern Africa could achieve a net economic
and resulting carbon emissions in the region, the discounted benefit from mangrove conservation. The countries with
value of the emission reductions that would be gained over the largest area of mangroves could achieve the greatest
a twenty-year period if current coverage was conserved, is benefits, with discounted values over a twenty-year period
estimated to be between $456.9 and 761.7 million at a 5 conservatively estimated at an 8 percent discount rate and
percent discount rate and carbon prices of $3 per metric ton carbon prices of $3 to 5 per ton (Table 12), of: $44.7 to 147.3
and $5 per metric ton respectively, and $341.2 million and million in Nigeria, $19.3 to 36.0 million in Gabon, $6.9 to
$569.0 million at an 8 percent discount rate and the same 37.4 million in Guinea-Bissau, $7.2 to 29.5 million Guinea,
prices for carbon (see Chapter Three). $6.0 to 18.7 million in Senegal and $3.2 to 14.2 million in
Sierra Leone. Essentially, together with payments for other
Building from the above values, a preliminary economic services provided, mangrove conservation in West, Central
analysis of the net present value (NPV) of the carbon storage and Southern African nations could potentially be financially
benefits from mangrove conservation in West, Central and viable, if payments for blue carbon can be secured.

7
 Securing payments from the international Roadmap for interested communities and
community for mangrove conservation in governments of West, Central and Southern
West, Central and Southern Africa Africa to explore potential options for blue
Given the financial potential of international carbon markets carbon finance
to support mangrove conservation in West, Central and To assist interested communities and governments in
Southern Africa, and the constraints to doing so, general steps member states to explore potential options for blue carbon
to pursue this opportunity are recommended to interested finance and assess if this is a viable opportunity to help
communities and governments in each case (see Chapter support mangrove conservation in the region, the following
3). These include the establishment of a project developer, general approach may be useful for member states of the
conducting feasibility analyses, demonstration of land tenure, Abidjan Convention (see Chapter Four for more details):
carbon baselining and modelling emission projections, as well
as performing socioeconomic impact assessments. At the national scale,
• Develop a portfolio of blue carbon projects where
Perhaps the most ambiguous yet crucial potential impediment appropriate, to help capture economies of scale and
to the success of blue carbon projects in the above steps promote learning across sites;
is land tenure. The overlapping of marine and terrestrial • Promote awareness within communities and benefit-sharing;
resources in blue carbon itself creates tenure ambiguities, • Continue to build on national mapping activities in order
making resource management and coastal decision-making to identify key areas for climate change mitigation and
challenging. Any contractual agreement for purchase of adaptation; and
carbon emissions reductions from mangrove conservation • Should carbon payments for mangrove restoration be
that leads to changes in land tenure could potentially lead financially viable, promote the restoration, conservation
to the exclusion of certain groups and users from accessing and sustainable use of mangroves at a landscape level.
traditional areas and resources. Ensuring that no such exclusion
will occur is fundamental in the determination of the ‘right to At the regional scale, the Abidjan Convention Secretariat could
use’ the land in the above steps, consistent with a number of establish a support program and information clearinghouse
internationally-agreed principles (for example those included to assist member states in exploring this opportunity, and
in the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance matching projects to international financing mechanisms/
of Tenure of Land, Forests and Fisheries in the Context of buyers, potentially including:
National Food Security). It simply cannot be overstated that • Assessment and monitoring, e.g. socioeconomic analysis
all efforts to secure international payments for blue carbon of a range of mangrove values as well as exploration of
in West, Central and Southern Africa must consider the three technologies for the more accurate/real-time monitoring
dimensions of environmental justice: distribution (e.g. sharing of mangrove coverage, as a basis for identifying
of benefits), procedures (fairness, with particularly attention opportunities for blue carbon finance;
paid to the poorer and most vulnerable people; transparency; • Regional cooperation, e.g. identifying and disseminating
plural and inclusive participation) and recognition (traditional lessons learned throughout the region as well as
knowledge, land tenure, social needs and identity claims) developing an online platform/clearinghouse to gather
data and reduce overall costs; and
In terms of financing blue carbon projects in West, Central • Development of pathways for blue carbon projects in
and Southern Africa, following the Paris COP in 2015 a West, Central and Southern Africa to access international
number of options are emerging or continuing that may finance, e.g. identifying pilot opportunities within
provide useful sources of capital, including cap-and-trade countries, bridging projects to buyers, providing
under the UNFCCC, large non-UNFCCC dependent cap-and- expertise on demand to countries, and examining
trade schemes such as the European Union Emissions Trading replicable models for additional sources of conservation
System, large national schemes, subnational schemes, or the financing such as microcredit schemes for restoration or
voluntary carbon market. However, there remains high levels conservation trust funds.
of uncertainty in accessing these sources of capital.

Acknowledgements
Personal communication John Poulsen (Duke University) Barbara), Sunny Jardine (University of Delaware), Stuart
and Lola Fatoyinbo (NASA), Aurelie Shapiro (WWF), Carl Hamilton (Salisbury University), Mark Spalding (The Nature
Trettin (USFS), Ben Halpern (University of California, Santa Conservancy).

8
1. Introduction: The global importance of mangroves and the
opportunity for the Abidjan Convention region
Coastal vegetated ecosystems such as mangrove forests, al., 2011; Murray, 2012; Alongi, 2014). Though mangroves
seagrass meadows and salt marshes, which have long and other marine vegetated habitats occupy only some 0.2
benefited neighbouring communities and fisheries, have in per cent of the global ocean surface, they contribute half of
recent years been recognized for their significant carbon- oceanic carbon burial (Duarte, Losada et al., 2013).
storage capacities and hence their contribution to mitigating
climate change (Nellemann et al., 2009; Barbier, 2011). Given the large storage capacities shown above, globally
Nevertheless, these ecosystems are being converted rapidly, significant levels of carbon emissions result from mangrove
with current trends projected to lead to 30 to 40 per cent deforestation due to coastal population growth and
loss of tidal marshes and seagrasses over the next 100 years, urbanization (Nellemann and Corcoran, 2009; Pendleton,
and a loss of nearly all unprotected mangroves (Pendleton Donato et al., 2012). From the estimated 49 million ha of
et al., 2012). Efforts to conserve coastal vegetated habitats mangroves and other coastal vegetated habitats worldwide,
and reduce carbon emissions from their conversion, i.e. over 1,850 Mg CO2 per hectare are susceptible to release
‘blue carbon’, have increased over the last five or six years. (Pendleton, Donato et al., 2012). The carbon currently stored
This has most notably concerned mangrove forests, as the in these habitats (mangroves, salt marshes and seagrasses)
international community has developed mechanisms to pay is collectively termed ‘blue carbon’. Table 1 summarizes
tropical countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from estimates of current blue carbon stocks susceptible to release
deforestation. These sources of international finance could as a result of habitat conversion.
potentially help tropical countries where most of the world’s
mangroves are found to leverage global capital to fund the Currently an estimated 1.9 per cent of mangroves are lost each
economic and financial costs of mangrove conservation, year globally, resulting in 240 million tons of carbon dioxide
while capturing local benefits such as flood protection and emissions – equivalent to emissions from the use of 588
fisheries support. million barrels of oil or from 50.5 million passenger vehicles
for example (Herr et al., 2015 based on Pendleton et al., 2012).
The global importance of mangrove forests Given the benefit of blue carbon storage and sequestration
In the last decade, a number of assessments have shown that mangroves and other coastal vegetated habitats provide
the capacity of intact mangrove forests and other coastal to the international community, numerous governments,
vegetated habitats to store carbon at rates that surpass communities, companies and civil society around the world
those of tropical forests (see Figure 1), with high burial rates are increasingly supporting their conservation as a climate
on the order of 108 Tg C per year (Duarte, Middleburg et al., change mitigation strategy (Herr et al., 2015). These efforts
2005; Nellemann and Corcoran, 2009; Sifleet, Pendleton et were crystallized in late 2015, with the adoption by the

Figure 1: Global averages for carbon pools (soil organic carbon and living biomass) of selected coastal vegetated habitats
Source: (Pendleton, Murray et al., 2014)
Note: Only the top metre of soil is included in the soil carbon estimates. Tropical forests are included for comparison.

9
 Table 1: Published data on blue carbon global extent, conversion rates, and carbon susceptible to release

Near-surface carbon susceptible to

Global extent (Mha) Current conversion rate (% yr-1) release (Mg CO2 ha-1)

Central Central Central

Ecosystems Min Max estimate Min Max estimate Min Max estimate

Salt marshes 2.2 40 5.1 1.0 2.0 1.5 237 949 593
Mangroves 13.8 15.2 14.5 0.7 3.0 1.9 373 1492 933
Seagrasses 17.7 60 30 0.4 2.6 1.5 131 522 326
Total 33.7 115.2 48.9 741 2963 1852
Source: Pendleton, Donato et al. (2012)

United Nations General Assembly of a new set of Sustainable To ensure that these critical benefits from mangrove forests
Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13 ‘to take urgent are better considered in decision-making, countries in the
action to combat climate change and its impacts’, and SDG 14 West, Central and Southern African region have prioritized
‘to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine conservation on a number of different levels. At the regional
resources for sustainable development’. level, the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection,
Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal
The global economic damages resulting from global blue Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and
carbon emissions are estimated at the high end to the order Southern Africa Region (the Abidjan Convention) provides
of some US$ 41 billion annually (Table 2), using a social cost of the overarching legal framework for mangrove use and
carbon value of US$ 40 per ton of CO2 emissions (EPA, 2015). conservation. The Convention was adopted in 1981 based on
an action plan developed by the United Nations Environment
The importance of mangrove forests in West, Programme (UNEP) in 1976 to address negative impacts
Central and Southern Africa on the region’s coastal and marine environment, came into
From the southern border of Mauritania down to the northern force in 1984, and is supported today by a UNEP secretariat
border of Angola, extensive mangrove forests provide wide- in Abidjan.
ranging sustainable benefits to coastal communities and
countries. These include supporting fisheries, protecting Building upon the Abidjan Convention, a number of countries
towns and structures from flooding and erosion, as well have adopted policies and laws to promote mangrove
as providing a range of cultural and spiritual benefits in conservation in support of coastal communities, including
different contexts. Although many of these benefits are introducing a range of protected areas throughout the region.
rarely exchanged directly in the marketplace or measured In addition, development partners have supported mangrove
in production statistics, they are nonetheless critical conservation efforts at different levels, notably the Regional
components of coastal economies throughout the region, Coastal and Marine Conservation Programme for West Africa
often forming intricate value chains with gender-specific (PRCM) in Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau,
roles along different segments. However, as these benefits Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde. This initiative was
are not always recognized in traditional valuations, mangrove formed in 2003 by the International Union for Conservation
forests and the services that they provide to West, Central of Nature (IUCN), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wetlands
and Southern Africa have become vulnerable to conversion International and the International Foundation for the
into other systems that support more measurable or readily Banc d’Arguin (FIBA), in collaboration with the Subregional
apparent benefits, such as deforestation for agriculture, Fisheries Commission of these countries. Aiming to help
fuelwood or coastal development. coordinate efforts to support coastal conservation, the PRCM

Table 2: Global blue carbon emissions and resulting economic damages

Carbon emissions (Pg CO2 yr-1) Economic damages (Billion US$ yr-1)

Ecosystems 90% confidence interval Median Low High Median

Salt marshes 0.02 0.24 0.06 0.8 9.6 2.4

Mangroves 0.09 0.45 0.24 3.6 18.0 9.6
Seagrasses 0.05 0.33 0.15 2.0 13.2 6.0
Total 0.15 1.02 0.45 6.0 40.8 18.0
Source: Pendleton, Donato et al. (2012)

10
 Figure 2: Global (top) and West, Central and Southern
African (bottom) distribution of seagrasses, salt marshes
and mangroves i.e. blue carbon stocks
Note: Estuary coverage is used as an approximation for salt marsh coverage
Sources: Global Distribution of Mangroves USGS (Giri et al., 2011), UNEP-
WCMC Global Distribution of Seagrasses (UNEP-WCMC and Short FT,
2005), Sea Around Us Global Estuary Database (Alder, 2003). Overlaps were
determined using ESRI ArcMap 10.3.

supported a West Africa Mangrove Initiative (WAMI) from Knowledge gaps on the global benefits
2007 to 2010, which led to the adoption by six countries of of mangrove forests in West, Central and
a Mangrove Charter and subsequent national action plans Southern Africa.
(Diop et al., 2014). In contrast to a number of other regions represented in Figure
2, relatively little is known about blue carbon stocks in West,
In this context, the growing recognition of the overall range Central and Southern Africa, and particularly the region’s
of benefits that mangrove forests in West, Central and mangroves. Available data sets on mangrove coverage
Southern Africa provide to the international community reflect different methodologies and are difficult to compare,
could provide a new source of support to communities’ while information on carbon-storage capacity is often lacking
and countries’ conservation efforts in the region. However, (Hutchison, Manica et al., 2014; Jardine and Siikamäki, 2014).
capturing this opportunity will require a minimum level of Notably, much of the literature that has emerged in the last
key information and knowledge on the global benefits of the decade on blue carbon has omitted the region, despite the
region’s mangroves. presence of significant mangrove forests in many countries.

11
 For example, although the continent is home to 22 per cent opportunity. To help fill that knowledge gap, this report
of the world’s mangroves, it has been the subject of only 7 aims to synthesize the current state of information on the
per cent of the literature that has attempted to value the blue carbon stocks maintained in mangrove forests in West,
services, such as blue carbon, that this ecosystem provides Central and Southern Africa, and estimate the potential
(Vegh, Jungwiwattanaporn et al., 2014 – see Table 3 below). financial benefits for communities and countries to secure
blue carbon payments from the international community.
Objectives of this report: Given the significant benefits Such support would help implement the region’s mangrove
of blue carbon storage that mangroves provide to the conservation policy objectives, as well as relevant targets of
international community, and its growing willingness to the Sustainable Development Goals.
pay for this service, it is surprising that so little is known
about blue carbon stocks in West, Central and Southern To achieve this objective, the report is organized as follows:
Africa and the steps that communities and countries in • A brief contextual summary of the current state of
the region would need to take in order to explore this international payments for blue carbon storage.
• A description of the cultural importance of mangroves in
order to highlight the value of their conservation, beyond
Table 3: Comparison of mangrove coverage to fraction of economics, to the local communities.
ecosystem services valuation literature • An estimation of the size and distribution of blue carbon
mangrove stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa
Percentage of world’s Percentage of based on a synthesis of available data sets, and the
mangroves studies
potential size of payments that could be secured to
Africa 22% 7% maintain these stocks.
Americas 30% 19% • On this basis, a road map of recommendations is proposed
Asia 38% 63% to support interested countries in West, Central and
Pacific 9% 10% Southern Africa to explore the potential to secure blue
Source: Vegh, Jungwiwattanaporn et al. (2014) carbon payments for mangrove conservation.

12
2. The global context: an overview of international payment
mechanisms for blue carbon
Development of international mechanisms for e.g. supporting fisheries and providing coastal protection
blue carbon payments (Salem and Mercer, 2012; Kauffman and Bhomia, 2014; UNEP,
Research over the last five years has indicated the potential 2014; Barbier, 2015). For example, a recent study estimated
for a large economic benefit from blue carbon conservation that global mangrove losses have resulted in up to US$ 42
in mangrove forests (Murray, Pendleton et al., 2011; billion in economic damages annually due to greenhouse
Siikamäki, Sanchirico et al., 2012). The capability to estimate gas emissions losses (UNEP 2014).
blue carbon stocks has grown in recent years, including
through improved global predictive models of storage As a result of the growing amount of information available
in soil and biomass, progress on remote sensing and GIS on blue carbon-storage capacity, international financing
application in mangroves (Hutchison, Manica et al., 2014; mechanisms could potentially be deployed to pay for
Jardine and Siikamäki, 2014; Patil, Singh et al., 2015). This has this service as part of the effort to reduce greenhouse
led to the development of databases with sufficient relevant gas emissions through the creation of carbon markets
information upon which to base estimates of potential (see Figure 4). More specifically, blue carbon has recently
payments for blue carbon (see Figure 3 below). become a valid candidate for inclusion under the Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation
In addition to a more in-depth and wider coverage of raw (REDD+) market mechanism, which prices greenhouse gas
blue carbon data to support carbon payment opportunities, emission reductions from forest conservation. Additional
a growing body of literature on habitat and carbon loss due international finance mechanisms that could be relevant to
to conversion pressures has enhanced understanding of the blue carbon include several UN Framework Convention on
trends and drivers of coastal habitat conversion and blue Climate Change (UNFCCC) specific funds, bi- and multilateral,
carbon loss (Valiela, Bowen et al., 2001; Barbier and Cox, as well as national climate funds (Herr, Agardy et al., 2015).
2003; Barbier and Sathirathai, 2004; Polidoro, Carpenter et Additionally, financing options such as debt-for-nature
al., 2010; Hamilton, 2013; Hamilton and Lovette, 2015). These swaps or payments for biodiversity have been considered
analyses have led to a similarly-themed growing literature on recently for blue carbon (Ministerio del Ambiente, 2015).
the valuation of additional benefits from mangrove forests, All of these mechanisms have developed within the last

Figure 3: Global biophysical mangrove data coverage

Note: Red marks show locations reported in Hutchison, Manica et al. (2014) where carbon stock or flux data is available; blue marks show locations reported
in Jardine and Siikamäki (2014) where soil carbon data is available from meta-analyses by Chmura, Anisfeld et al. (2003), Kristensen, Bouillon et al.( 2008),
and Donato, Kauffman et al.(2011).

13
 decade and may, through payments for blue carbon storage, carbon at a lower market-average price of US$ 4.90, with
provide a channel of international support to West, Central REDD+ credits applicable to blue carbon averaging US$ 4.20
and Southern African countries in their goals for conserving according to 2013 data from Forest Trends (Goldstein and
mangrove ecosystems. Gonzalez, 2014). So while US$ 10 per ton is achievable on
the compliance market, the voluntary market, where blue
The following paragraphs provide a brief description of some carbon credits could more likely be traded, are still below
of these mechanisms (see Appendix 1 for the full list). that level. This does not mean that the blue carbon projects
are not viable at the lower price range of carbon, but there
Potential viability of blue carbon payments must be other revenue streams associated with the project
Regardless of the specific market, private carbon finance (e.g. tourist revenues) to cover some of the higher costs of
offers a potentially viable source of blue carbon payments. the project, such as large-scale restoration activities.
Economic analyses have estimated that large-scale
conservation of the blue carbon stocks in mangroves In general, carbon market prices and trading volumes have
is feasible, even at relatively low carbon prices such as fluctuated over the past few years. Experts, however, are
US$ 10 per ton of CO2 equivalent, while also taking into optimistic about future carbon market developments both in
account opportunity costs (i.e. the revenue streams from terms of volume and prices (Goldstein and Gonzalez, 2014).
economic activities on converted mangrove habitats) Regulated carbon markets are driven by an arbitrary cap on
(Murray, Pendleton et al., 2011; Siikamäki, Sanchirico et al., emissions and the marginal cost of carbon offset alternatives,
2012). To put US$ 10 per ton into perspective, at the end of for example, from the power sector.
2015 carbon was trading at US$ 12.70, US$ 8.45 and US$
5.50 per metric ton on the California compliance carbon The price of carbon may also be bolstered by recent global
market, European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU political events, such as the United Nations Conference
ETS) and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) markets, on Climate Change (COP) 21, held in Paris in December
respectively. The voluntary markets have been trading 2015. This COP meeting sent a strong signal to the global

Figure 4: Main climate (dark) and biodiversity-related (light) finance mechanisms for blue carbon payments
Source: (Herr, Agardy et al., 2015), Figure 3, page 14.

14
environmental community that carbon pollution is to be Ecuador
reduced such that the predicted global average temperature Socio Manglar in Ecuador is a national initiative that is part
increase remains “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels of the Socio Bosque Programme established in 2008 and the
(UNFCCC, 2015). The extent to which blue carbon will be National Governance Policy on Natural Heritage for Good
able to play a role in achieving this target will depend on the Living. Mangroves were introduced into the Socio Bosque
development of market-specific methodologies to credibly Programme in 2014 through a monetary incentive aimed at
measure, report and verify (MRV) greenhouse gas emissions mangrove concessions. The objectives are to contribute to
from blue carbon ecosystems. Moving forward, the three the consolidation of the concessions policy framework and
biggest uncertainties for blue carbon projects to access large- efforts in mangrove control, monitoring and restoration,
scale carbon markets remain (1) the uncertainty of whether while improving the living conditions of communities
policies will be enacted to create carbon markets of global and ancestral groups and providing financial support. The
scale and breadth, (2) whether such markets will accept blue ultimate goal is to maintain sustainable use and custody
carbon conservation or restoration as credible activities, agreements for at least 100,000 ha of mangrove area within
and (3) whether the influx of a large quantity of new offsets four years.
will “flood” the market, increase supply way above demand,
resulting in a large drop in market price. Madagascar
Since 2011, Blue Ventures has been involved in projects
With the finalization of the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) in Madagascar to assess the feasibility of using blue
Tidal Wetland Restoration protocol (VCS, 2015), the entry carbon payments as a long-term financial mechanism
of blue carbon payments into voluntary carbon markets is for community-based mangrove management at two
a real possibility and a significant opportunity to scale up demonstration sites: 1) Ambaro-Ambanja Bay — a large-
financing. While voluntary or compliance carbon markets are scale (26,000 ha of mangroves) VCS project, and 2) Bay of
only one way to generate payments for blue carbon projects Assassins — a smaller (1,015 ha of mangroves) Plan Vivo
and activities, they could play a positive role in developing project. The specific goals are to develop the technical and
financing capacity if the disparate regional carbon markets organizational capacities of local communities to sustainably
become linked or integrated in the future. These markets manage their mangroves, to form the basis for future blue
include the compliance-driven European Union (EU) and South carbon payments. Management plans have been developed
Korea Emissions Trading Schemes, the California-Quebec over an area of 10,492 ha of mangroves across sites and the
market, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and the management rights of over 23,000 coastal people have been
voluntary Climate Action Reserve (CAR), VCS, and others that secured through the establishment of a marine protected
are currently developing and operating independently. area (MPA) and five management transfers. Over 45 ha of
mangroves have also been restored through community
Selected initial blue carbon projects around volunteer reforestation programmes. In addition, the project
the globe has held research and stakeholder consultations to develop
Blue carbon demonstration sites for conservation and blue carbon projects. The initiative has also estimated the
restoration projects have begun to emerge around the globe, carbon stock above and below ground (Jones, Ratsimba et
demonstrating the use of a wide range of various financing al., 2014).
mechanisms available to project developers or the countries
with blue carbon resources that they set out to protect (Herr, Seychelles
Agardy et al., 2015; Ministerio del Ambiente, 2015). Projects The Seychelles government has implemented debt swaps
listed below provide a snapshot of the range of current for adaptation or mitigation as an approach to complement
initiatives for indicative purposes, though it remains too early carbon finance. The idea is that the coastal defence benefits
to assess impact or results from these efforts. of blue carbon would be an attractive proposition for re-
insurers, who see advantages and cost effectiveness in
UNEP/GEF Blue Forests Project maintaining and restoring blue carbon ecosystems and
Initiated in 2014, the Blue Forests Project (BFP) is a global hence price environmental degradation in risk premium.
initiative of UNEP supported by the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and many project partners. Its goal is to In conclusion, the use of carbon finance in all of its forms to
demonstrate how the values of carbon and other ecosystem pay for maintenance of the blue carbon stocks in mangroves
services values can be harnessed to achieve long-term blue is nascent, and the above sample of projects are all small
carbon protection. The project includes national blue carbon steps in mangrove conversion and sequestration capacity at
demonstration and project sites in Ecuador (Socio Manglar), the global level. It should, however, be noted that countries
Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar (Blue Ventures), Mozambique such as Guinea-Bissau and Senegal have actually been at the
and the United Arab Emirates. The project builds on a small- forefront of this effort, despite the limitations of data.
scale community-based blue carbon project in coastal
Kenya (Mikoko Pamoja), and the Abu Dhabi Blue Carbon
Demonstration Project.

15
 3. Blue carbon in West, Central and Southern Africa
This chapter assesses the cultural importance as well as the status of the region’s blue carbon stocks and the potential to secure
international payments for them.

3.1 Social and cultural values of blue carbon environments in West, Central and
Southern Africa
According to archaeological sources, mangroves (and, The following excerpts are from volume two of F. Harrison
more generally, coastal wetlands and estuaries) are Rankin’s classic book The White Man’s Grave: a visit to Sierra
considered among the first places of human settlement Leone, in 1834.
(Higham, 1988). Human occupation of mangroves and “The rivers which receive the greatest proportion of teak-
evidence of their multiple uses (for food, wood, building ships are the Malacourie and the Scarcies, both dreaded by
material, transport, etc.) are attested in Africa as far back seamen; the first particularly: it is a dull stream, bordered by
as 5000 BP (Linares de Sapir, 1971; Thilmans & Descamps, swamps and mangrove, and breathing fogs; prolific only in
1982; Camara, 2010). Along the west coast of Africa, shell disease, musquitoes (sic.) and the hippopotamus. Its weary
middens reveal the presence of clay pots and tools made heat, its sluggish close atmosphere, its clouds of mosquitoes,
with shells and the teeth of sharks, and food remains are attributes never to be forgotten by the sailor who has lived
(rice, fish). These shell middens constitute the main, to tell his experience of the Malacourie.”
otherwise unique, information source on the first human
establishments in mangroves. They also testify to the very Despite the negative attributes described above by explorers
old commercial exchanges along the coast: salt, salted and traders in the 1800s, the long occupation of mangroves
and dried fish, leather and livestock from the north were and the sophisticated management of mangrove areas
exchanged with kola nuts, pepper, and rice from the south in West, Central and Southern Africa is attested by André
(Cormier-Salem, 1999). In the 1400s, during the ‘Age of Alvarez d’Almada (1594), who describes the construction
Discovery’, Portuguese sailors arrived at the Gulf of Guinea. of wet rice landscapes, based on seasonal flooding. Rice
The first lands they came across were most certainly cultivation in the mangrove swamps defined the communal
bordered by mangroves and many of the descriptions territory of the northern rivers’ people (between the current
of these adventurers attest to these forests in the sea, region of the Saloum Delta in Senegal and Sierra Leone)
shrouded in mystery. Later explorers to the region during (Cormier-Salem, 1999). Even then, rice cultivation managed
the pre-colonial period referred to these coasts as “the water via dykes and dams to avoid intrusion of salty water
white man’s grave” (see Box 1 ). from the sea and to flush saline soils with water.

To date, major threats to mangroves include over-harvesting,

Box 1. The Mosquito Medal clear-felled corridors, sand extraction and woodcutting for
household needs. The practice of smoking fish to preserve
it can also place added pressure on mangrove forests due
to the use of mangrove wood and mangrove charcoal in the
smoking process. In other mangrove regions around the
world, industrial aquaculture (notably shrimp farming) is a
major threat to mangroves, although pond aquaculture in the
coastal areas of West, Central and Southern Africa is not well
developed. Figure 5 shows the value chain of mangroves in
a typical Ghanaian coastal village (Tsikata, et al., 1997), while
Tables 4 and 5 provide the very wide range of values and uses
of mangroves. The proponents of blue carbon need to consider
the lessons learned on sharing resources and habitat as well as
the trade-offs that exist in this region. For the purposes of this
section, we shall focus on the values of mangroves for food
In 1973, Sierra Leone’s government created a new award
and food processing, their medicinal values and the values
for military and civil gallantry and called it the Order of
associated with culture and tradition, including those for
the Mosquito. The government explained that the Order
managing and conserving mangroves. Figure 5 also shows the
was so named to honour the malaria-carrying mosquito
socially differentiated roles that men and women play as actors
that made Sierra Leone “the white man’s grave” and
in the Mangrove value chain - with a deeper understanding of
prevented Europeans from settling there and creating
these roles, it should be possible to design alternative means
“another Rhodesia”.
of use where harm to the mangroves is reduced

16
Figure 5: Flow chart of the movement of mangrove wood from forest to home
(Arrows indicate movement of wood: Boxes and lines indicate dual or multiple roles each line represents a transaction cost)

17
 Table 4: Mangrove services along the coast of West, Central and Southern Africa

Services from mangroves Main functions (examples)

Regulation Erosion control Stabilization of shorelines, trapping of sediment by mangrove roots

Protection against storms Dam consisting of mangrove forests against storms, cyclones and tidal waves,
damping of waves
Flow regulation Circulation and water exchange through tidal and costal currents and the river
systems
Waste treatment Waste assimilation by the plant biomass, wastewater

Self-production Air and water purification Carbon export or sequestration by mangroves (carbon sink or source, depending
or support on the year)
Water purification Processing and storage of energy via biomass; sequestration of metal
contaminants from the soil
Constitution of the soil Reclamation and colonization of soft substrate and low oxygen by the root system
Nutrient cycling Processing and storage of energy and materials (e.g. photosynthesis biomass
of mangrove trees, bioturbation and landfill litter by crabs burrowing, litter
mineralization by the benthic macrofauna)
Enrichment of coastal Direct transfer of the productivity of mangrove forests to coastal waters via tidal
waters channels and flood; decomposition and mineralization of detrital organic matter,
mixed continental–ocean water; export of materials by migration of macrofauna
Nutrient cycling and Refuge habitat for birds
biodiversity Nursery for fish (retention area, feeding and growth for aquatic life)
Spawning ground for many species (fish, shrimp)
Refuge from predators with shade trees, tangle of roots, turbidity
Habitat of grazing gastropods (Littorina sp. and Pachymelania Terebralia), and of
filter-feeding bivalves such as oysters, arches and Cardium sp.

Provision Food Mangrove forests, tidal channels and associated ecosystems, agrosilvopastoral
resource support, fisheries and food (rice, salt, honey, fish, shellfish, etc.).
Drinks and alcohol Wood, flower, leaf- and fruit-fermented beverage, alcohol, vinegar, tea
Fuelwood Firewood and charcoal (fish smoking, heating the brine for salt)
Health Leaves and fruits in medicinal and cosmetics uses
Material Timber: poles, wood for house (piles), boat, farm tools (round, plough, dam),
fishing gear (dam fence, trap and scoop nets); kitchen (mortar and pestle), tannin
and dye (bark), lime shells, sticks
Trade Commercial and small-scale fishing, coastal and estuarine (fish: mullet, captain,
carp and shrimp); collection of crabs, clams, oysters; aquaculture
Livestock feeding Forage and grazing herds of cattle, goats and other animals, salt cure

Culture Spiritual Sacred sites, totemic species: shell middens as tumulus in Saloum
Recreation Tourism and ecotourism (boat rides, wildlife viewing); fishing, etc.); hunting
Aesthetic Oral traditions: myths, songs and poems inspired by the mangrove

Source: Vegh, Jungwiwattanaporn et al. (2014)

Food and food processing Ethmalosa sp. Mugil spp.], crabs [Callinectes sp.] and shrimp
Mangroves in West, Central and Southern Africa are a source [Peneaus sp.]). Mangroves have also been important in times
of a wide variety of non-timber forest products (NTFP), of hardship such as famine, enabling people to survive by
particularly for local food use and for income generation (see collecting and eating fish and shellfish while using the wood
Table 5.). Paddy rice, shellfish such as cockles and oysters, to cook. Another added benefit comes from the Rhizophora
as well as wild honey and salt form part of the local staple stilt roots, which are used as fuelwood to smoke shrimp due
diet, but are also sold, thereby contributing to livelihood. to their high tannin levels. The shrimp are then sold in the
Rice, for example, is a staple from Senegal to Liberia and is local and national markets, generating additional income
increasing in importance along the coastal nations, but not that is essential for covering household expenditures such as
enough is produced locally. As a result, incomes from other health and child-education costs.
mangrove products are being used to buy rice imported
from South-East Asia. In several countries, the accompanying The main food value for the local communities comes from
sauce is prepared with products from the mangrove tree the fish species associated with the mangrove. These are the
itself (leaves, fruits, seeds), or ingredients harvested from primary source of protein in most diets and also the main
the swamps and channels (cockles, oysters, fish [Tilapia sp., source of income for artisanal fishers and the fish-processing

18
Table 5: Multitude of uses of mangroves in West, Central and Southern Africa

Uses Species used

Tree: wood and Fuel: firewood, charcoal (domestic cooking, All kind of species, with various quality, but mainly
roots smoking of fish and oysters, heating of brine in salt Rhizophora spp.
manufacturing, burning oyster shells to produce lime
fertilizer), alcohol
Construction material: timber: poles, wood for Rhizophora spp *
housebuilding, furniture, dykes and dams (piles, stilts);
canoes, boats and paddles; farm and household tools
(sleeves, round handles, shuttle for looms, ploughshare);
kitchen utensils (mortar, pestle, drumstick)
Fishing gear: fish-fences, bow net, traps and fishing
baskets

Tree: leaves Artefacts and domestic use: fencing, roofing, shuttle All kind of species
for loom, matting, wall dressings*, paper, glue
Consumption: animal feed, pasture, fermented drinks, Avicennia, Sonneratia
alcohol, vinegar, herb tea, condiments, vegetables
Medicinal uses: plaster, decoction
Malaria (external usages), body odour.* Avicennia germinans*
Measles, gonorrhoea, malaria, stomach illness.* Laguncularia racemosa*

Tree: flowers Consumption: honey and wax from bees (Apis Ceriops, A. marina
and fruit mellifera), alcohol
Fishing gear: floaters for fishing nets
Medicinal uses and cosmetic: beauty mask/ face pack
Domestic use: decoration of house roofs* Nypa fruticans*

Tree: bark Artefacts and domestic use: tanning and dyes Rhizophora spp., Bruguiera spp. et Ceriops tagal
Medicinal uses: malaria treatment (external usages), Rhizophora spp*
stopping of external haemorrhages, stomach illness
(ingurgitation), tooth decay treatment in Ghana**
Stalks: fencing for vegetables Acrostichum aureum

Fishery Collection and trapping of crabs Scylla serrata

Collection of cockles at low tide in the mud or on Anadara senilis, Galatea paradoxa, Murex hoplites,
sandbanks Murex cornutus, Orbicularia orbiculat, Pugilina morio,
Oyster and clam gathering Cymbium spp., Cultellus tenuis, Crassostrea gazar
Fishing: shrimping, fish ponds and fish culture Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Epinephelus spp., Lates
spp. etc. Penaeus spp. Tilapia, Chano

Mineral Agriculture: Lime (used as fertilizer) Shells (oysters, cockles)

products Construction material: Construction of dykes and
paths with shells
Consumption: Solar salt winning or manufacturing by
boiling using mangroves

Sources: Bandaranayake (1998); Dahdouh-Guebas et al., (2000); Rollet (1975); Saenger & Bellan (1995); Saenger et al., (1983); Cormier-Salem (1999, 2003, 2014)
*Nfotabong-Atheull et al. (2011)
**Abarike, E. D et al. (2015)

value chain that follows. In the mangroves of the Volta estuary, Drying, smoking or frying are the major food-processing
all species (with the exception of Periophthalmus papilo, methods used, depending on the type of fish. Mangrove
Tetraodon lineatus, Seserma species and Goniopsis species) wood is used in all of these processes, either as charcoal
are of high food value (Dankwa and Gordon, 2002). Active or directly as firewood. In Ghana, the trees for fuelwood
fishing is primarily performed by men, while the processing and use have been valued from US$ 340 per ha (Ajonin et al.,
marketing is the domain of women, although women handpick 2009) to US$ 2,765 per ha (Ajonina, 2011). Rhizophora spp.
the clam Galatea paradoxa, while children and the elderly pick is especially favoured as the wood burns hotter and slower
the gastropod Tympanotonus sp. Since the 1970s and 1980s, than the other species, and the rich tannins from burning the
with droughts and the crisis in farming systems, more and more stilt roots impart a shiny reddish-brown colour to the smoked
artisanal fishermen are entering the marine environment. fish, which is prized by consumers.

19
 Salt is an essential product to dry and thus preserve fish. etc.) are provided by Bandaranayake (1998: 141), which
The early Portuguese navigators document salt collection as lists treatments including: asthma, diarrhoea, diabetes,
early as 1492 (Cormier-Salem, 1999). Their narratives detail conjunctivitis, as well as presenting the possible use of toxic
two distinct practices. Firstly, solar evaporation, whereby substances. Mangrove trees’ wood, leaves, fruit, flowers,
salt is extracted from the mudflats and the tannes (bare and bark and roots are used in decoction to cure stomach pains,
salinized areas) located in mangrove zones. The early European toothache, diseases (malaria, dysentery, diabetes, etc.),
explorers observed this on Saloum Island, and called it “red” and ease childbirth. Wood, leaves and bark are also used in
salt because of the colour of the ponds, but in fact the salt is plasters to heal fractures and wounds, while the roots, leaves
pure and high-quality. The salt is collected from ponds or wells and poison are used to catch fish in canals.
dug in the mud flats which are regularly maintained. During
the dry season (December–June), the saline water evaporates In Cameroon (Atheull et al., 2011), A. germinans leaves
and women collect the salt exposed by the wind and sun. and bark are used to treat malaria patients by combining
The second method is used during the rainy season where them in a bowl or pot with boiled water to produce steam
(traditionally) women collect the salty mud, add water, decant which the patient, under a thick blanket, then inhales.
it and boil off the excess water (using mangrove wood as fuel) The same technique is also applied to cure measles and
to obtain a grey-white salt (Cormier-Salem, 1999). gonorrhoea, but using the leaves and bark of L. racemosa. An
extraction of boiled Rhizophora bark is used to stop external
A number of “local” and “national” recipes are based on haemorrhages and to cure tooth decay. Meanwhile, the use
mangrove products, for example in Senegal: rice with oysters of mangrove chemicals for health purposes is reported in
(Cee bu yokos), rice cooked in palm oil with vegetables, Mpalla, Epassi and Milende in particular. Table 6 gives a list of
smoked bonga (Ethmalosa) and cockles (Supekandja). ailments that are treated with mangroves in the Lower Volta.
A recipe for ndew is based on the fruit and the seed of
Avicennia. The fruit pulp, rich in vitamins and oil, is used to Mangroves also contribute to the production of honey, which
make the sauce; the seed is boiled, then dried and crushed to is mainly used for its medicinal properties, rather than as a
make flour. Mangrove products are also consumed as drinks foodstuff. Pollens from mangrove species such as Ceriops, A.
and alcohol made from wood, flowers or leaves, as well as marina, Aegialitis rotunidifolia and Cynometra ramifolia are
fruit-fermented beverages, vinegar and teas. particularly sought by the local bees (Apis mellifera), which
produce the highest quality honey (Bandaranayake, 1998).
Medicinal values
The medicinal use of mangroves and mangrove-associated Conservation and governance of mangrove and
species is a vast field of investigation, of which we have only its resources through culture and traditions
touched the surface. The Arabian herbalist Ibn Sina, better Mangora & Shalli (2014) recognize the value of traditional
known under the name of Avicenna (980-1036), was the ecological knowledge (TEK) in contributing to the conservation
first specialist in mangrove ethno-medicine, and the Arabs and management of natural resources. TEK is the body of
developed a rich pharmacopoeia during this time (Rollet, knowledge, acquired over time, practices and beliefs that
1975). The most accurate data on chemical components define the relationship between human, other lifeforms and
(alkaloids, saponins and other substances) and medicinal the environment. In West, Central and Southern Africa, TEK
uses of the various components of mangroves (bark, leaves, related to mangrove resources and spaces (e.g. fish breeding,

Table 6: Medical uses of mangrove species in Ghana

Species Part Uses

Rhizophora Roots • used with palm oil as an ointment for boils

racemosa Bark • extract used for fungal infections of the skin
• treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery in children
• leprosy
• sore throat

Avicennia africana Leaves • ashes used as a salt substitute

= germinans Bark • powdered bark with palm oil for lice, ringworm and mange
Seeds • germinating seeds used as a poison

Conocarpus Leaves • decoction used as a febrifuge (fevers)

erecta Latex • applied to cuts to stop bleeding
Roots • ground and boiled as a cure for catarrh
Bark • used in the treatment of gonorrhoea

Source C. Gordon observations from the Lower Volta

20
tide cycles: lunar calendar quantity and quality of water, etc.)
is well developed. The knowledge on mangrove wetlands
(species, habitats, environmental characteristics) that local
people have mastered are essential to adapting to this extreme
tidal ecosystem. As the ethnic heterogeneity of mangrove-
dwelling people in West, Central and Southern Africa is
immense, regimes of customary mangrove management and
tenure are as widely diverse as the people.

Customary tenure is particularly developed among

mangrove-dependant people and along mangrove areas
that have been populated and managed for a long time.
Mangroves, as socio-ecosystems or socio-natures, are under
the authority of the local communities, who control them
according to the local institutions. Mangrove areas can
be continuous and contiguous spaces, more or less closed
and limited, or in patches. The mangroves are valued for
multiple purposes (cultural, religious, aesthetic, salt, forestry,
agricultural, pastoral, etc.) and are collectively or individually
owned. A complicating factor in tenure is the varied forms of
ownership, as the land the mangrove is growing on can be
owned by one family, the mangrove trees to another, while
access to the NTFP may be vested in yet another group.

In some cases, traditional authority is in charge of the

distribution of the benefits from the area through decision-
making and conflict resolution, while in other cases it is the
family or the clan who undertake this role. It may seem that
due to the difficulties in accessing mangroves, ‘modern’
public institutions are absent. On the contrary, it is their
multiplication with competitive authorities of jurisdiction,
from local to international levels, each of them with their
own designs for the environment and development, that
leads to conflicting policies and overlapping bureaucracies, contribute to the protection, management and conservation
weak law enforcement and, globally, that contributes to poor of mangroves. Places in mangroves are very often believed
governance of mangroves (Tsikata et al., 1997; Rubin et al, to be haunted, sacred or submitted to prohibitions, including
1998; Cormier-Salem, 1999). mudflats, islands, small channels, tannes and sand shell
middens. These places are often associated with spirits and
Beyond the varied forms of customary tenure, and building sheltering totemic species (such as manatees, tortoises and
upon TEK, there are traditional practices that could assist birds), due to their use as tumulus or ancestors’ graves. They
in the long-term, sustainable governance of mangroves by can also result from introduced elements, such as around
adjacent communities, including: baobabs for example, where a ndout (a Serer initiation
• the appropriation of habitat (sandbank, mudflat, canal, ceremony) takes place in the Delta of Saloum in Senegal.
rock, grove)
• the exclusive use of certain resources (e.g. shellfish and Rim-Rukeh et al. (2013) reports that in Ode Itsekiri in Warri
molluscs, honey, sedentary resources, easier to obtain than South Local Government Area, Nigeria, there is an evil forest
the migrant pelagic species) within the mangrove swamp forest into which “dead bad
• the protection of habitats and species in regulations on people” are thrown. They state that
fishing seasons (e.g. oyster collection is forbidden between “the dead bad people may include those that have confessed
June and October [the rainy season], in the period before rice to the act of witchcraft (male and female inclusive), death by
cultivation, and also during the oyster’s reproductive period) suicide, dead by cancerous wound, dead resulting from falling
• the control of fishing gear and type of fishing practice from a tree or palm tree, and a pregnant dead woman. In
(e.g. limitation of the size and the mesh of nets; ban on addition, when a person dies as a result of mysterious sickness
poisoning or the positioning of fish traps) and did not confess to any act of evil doing, the oracles are
consulted to inquire into the cause of this death. If the deceased
The role of taboos, beliefs and practices (including the belief was not a “good citizen” often the corpse is thrown into this
in the presence of spirits and supernatural creatures) all forest. This is done to prevent the reincarnation of such spirit”.

21
 3.2 Analysis of blue carbon stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa

Size and distribution of blue carbon stocks in terms of the actual data sets available for mangrove coverage
West, Central and Southern Africa and carbon, the following (and in some cases overlapping)
Figure 6 illustrates the distribution of blue carbon sources have been identified for reference:
environments, from the southern boundary of Mauritania to • Corcoran, Ravilious et al. 2007 This report presents coarse
the northern boundary of Angola. estimates of mangrove coverage from a variety of sources,
including FAO and data that would also be subsequently
In terms of the size of its blue carbon stocks, West, Central and used by Spalding, Kainuma et al. (2010). Since different
Southern Africa contains approximately 14 per cent of the estimation methods are used for different years, data
world’s mangrove area (Corcoran, Ravilious et al., 2007), with within the report cannot be used in analyses to determine
the region’s most extensive mangroves located in Nigeria, loss rates over time.
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon and Gabon (see Table 7, • Spalding, Kainuma et al. 2010 This mangrove coverage
chapter 1). Nonetheless, mangroves in the region are believed data set was also presented in Corcoran, Ravilious et al.
to be in decline, with average estimates suggesting some 25 (2007) and is assembled from various sources, mainly for
per cent loss in the region between 1980 and 2006 (Corcoran, the years 1999-2003.
Ravilious et al., 2007). The first ever workshop on mangroves • Giri, Ochieng et al. 2011 This is the most comprehensive
in West, Central and Southern Africa, held in Elmina, Ghana on global data set, estimating mangrove coverage using data
18-22 May 2014 put the average annual rate of blue carbon mainly from 2000, at a relatively high resolution (30 m).
sink loss at 2-7 per cent (USAID, FCMC et al., 2014). Updates to this data set are forthcoming, but were not
available at the time of preparing this report. The Giri et al.
Quantifying mangrove and blue carbon loss has been (2011) data set compared very well with the Fatoyinbo et al.
difficult due to a lack of relevant comprehensive data sets. In (2013) data set, with Fatoyinbo et al. (2013) estimates being

Figure 6: Distribution of blue carbon environments in West, Central and Southern Africa: mangroves, salt marshes,
and seagrasses
Sources: Mangrove coverage for 1999-2000 (Fatoyinbo and Simard, 2013); salt marsh coverage (Halpern, Walbridge et al. 2008); seagrass coverage (Green
and Short, 2003; UNEP-WCMC and Short, 2005).

22
 about 10 per cent lower. In essence, these data sets are very provide coarse data collected over the period 1934-2004 for
similar (Carl Trettin, personal communication, 2016). seagrasses. A data set on relative salt marsh abundances within
• Fatoyinbo and Simard 2013 This study estimates mangrove ecoregions is currently available (Hoekstra, Molner et al., 2010)
coverage, tree heights and biomass in Africa, using data and an effort to develop a complete global data set for salt
mainly from 1999-2000. This data set is the best available marsh distribution is still under way at UNEP-WCMC (part of
information for West, Central and Southern Africa, since the GEF Blue Forests Project). Halpern, Walbridge et al., (2008)
it uses a standardized method to estimate mangrove developed a data set delineating salt marshes within 1 km of
coverage and biomass over a large region, at a relatively the shore collected over the period 1975-2007. A global lakes
high resolution (90 m). and wetlands database is also available, though the resolution
• Hutchison, Manica et al. 2014 This paper predicts above- is relatively coarse (30 seconds) (Lehner and Doll, 2004). Finally,
ground mangrove forest biomass, based on climate, and a global estuary database is currently available, which may be
presents estimates using the mangrove extent from used as a proxy for salt marsh distribution (Alder, 2003).
Spalding, Kainuma et al. (2010).
• Jardine and Siikamäki 2014 This study predicts global For illustrative purposes, Table 7 below summarizes some
carbon estimates in mangrove soils based on data from information available on the extent of mangroves (only), while
1980-2011 and uses the mangrove extent from Giri, Figure 7 highlights the differences found within these data sets.
Ochieng et al., 2011.
• Hamilton and Casey 2016 This study estimates annual Determining the availability of blue carbon stocks from the
mangrove forest coverage from 2000-2012 using the above data sets is difficult, given the challenges inherent
global forest change database (Hansen et al., 2013) in quantifying carbon stocks in remote locations, and
and mangrove extent in 2000 (Giri, Ochieng et al. 2011). difficulties that arise when detecting and analysing the
Although this is the only data set currently available that remotely sensed signal reflected by carbon at the time of
estimates global mangrove forest area through time, data collection. With these qualifications, Table 9 summarizes
it should be used with caution. Many methods used to estimates of blue carbon stocks from mangrove, seagrass
estimate coverage and change in other types of forests and salt marsh habitats.
may not be applicable to mangroves due to the dynamic
nature of coastlines and mangrove regrowth (Aurelie However, with improving remote-sensing capabilities in
Shapiro, personal communication, 2015). mangroves, higher quality blue carbon data should be
available in the next few years (Patil, Singh et al., 2015), and
For seagrass and salt marsh coverage, data sets are even efforts to improve the accuracy and precision of estimates in
scarcer than for mangroves. Key data sets by Green and Short West, Central and Southern Africa are currently under way in
(2003) and UNEP-WCMC and Short (2005) have been used to some parts of the region (Tang, Feng et al., 2014). Helping

Table 7: Estimates of mangrove extent in West, Central and Southern Africa (square kilometres)

Country 1980 1990 1997 2000 2005 2006

Nigeria 9,990 9,980 11,134 9,970 9,970 7,386

Guinea 2,992 2,792 3,083 2,762 2,760 2,039
Guinea-Bissau 2,760 2,480 3,649 2,210 2,100 2,999
Cameroon 2,720 2,563 2,494 2,515 2,500 1,957
Gabon 2,185 1,858 1,759 1,529 1,500 1,606
Senegal 1,690 1,450 1,830 1,270 1,150 1,287
Sierra Leone 1,677 1,454 1,695 1,053 1,000 1,052
The Gambia 704 612 747 581 580 581
D. R. of the Congo 606 353 374 220 220 201
Angola 530 433 607 336 330 333
Côte d’Ivoire 302 201 644 99 99 99
Equatorial Guinea 267 260 277 253 250 258
Congo 200 120 188 84 80 17
Liberia 193 143 427 93 68 110
Ghana 181 168 214 138 124 137
Benin 21 17 17 14 12 66
Togo 10 10 ND 10 10 11
Mauritania 1.5 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.1
São Tomé and Príncipe ND ND ND ND ND 1.4
Sources: FAO, Spalding et al., (1997); FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (2000); FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (2005); UNEP-WCMC (2006)

23
 Table 8: Blue carbon stocks in mangrove forests in West, Central and Southern Africa

Mean carbon storage (Mg/ha) Total carbon storage (Tg)

Top Above- Below- Top Above- Below-

Mangrove metre ground ground All metre ground ground All
Country area (ha) of soil biomass biomass stocks of soil biomass biomass stocks

Angola 15,400 354.4 53.0 17.6 425.0 5.5 0.8 0.3 6.5
Benin 1,800 317.1 72.3 23.1 412.5 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.7
Cameroon 148,300 324.2 86.9 29.5 440.5 48.1 12.9 4.4 65.3
Congo 1,500 321.4 54.7 17.1 393.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.6
Côte d’Ivoire 3,200 321.6 80.1 24.3 426.0 1.0 0.3 0.1 1.4
D.R. Congo 18,300 321.6 ND ND 321.6 5.9 ND ND 5.9
Eq. Guinea 18,100 340.8 75.2 24.4 440.4 6.2 1.4 0.4 8.0
Gabon 145,700 368.3 66.9 20.9 456.1 53.7 9.7 3.0 66.5
Gambia 51,911 343.4 65.2 20.2 428.8 17.8 3.4 1.0 22.3
Ghana 7,600 320.2 75.1 22.3 417.6 2.4 0.6 0.2 3.2
Guinea 188,900 317.5 86.4 29.3 433.1 60.0 16.3 5.5 81.8
Guinea-Bissau 280,600 316.3 73.4 23.7 413.4 88.8 20.6 6.7 116.0
Liberia 18,900 322.2 95.5 28.6 446.4 6.1 1.8 0.5 8.4
Mauritania 40 333.5 ND ND 333.5 0.0 ND ND 0.0
Nigeria 857,300 322.0 87.8 29.9 439.7 276.0 75.3 25.6 376.9
São Tomé and Príncipe ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
Senegal 120,000 328.2 64.0 22.0 414.2 39.4 7.7 2.6 49.7
Sierra Leone 95,500 320.0 81.1 26.9 428.1 30.6 7.7 2.6 40.9
Togo 200 314.4 ND ND 314.4 0.1 ND ND 0.1
Total 1,973,251 642.4 158.6 53.1 854.1

Note: Above-ground biomass and below-ground biomass was calculated using biomass-to-carbon ratios of 1:0.46 and 1:0.39, respectively, after Howard, Hoyt
et al. (2014), page 78 and 90, respectively. Total carbon storage was calculated by multiplying mangrove area by the mean carbon storage values in the table.
Sources: Fatoyinbo and Simard (2013); Hutchison, Manica et al. (2014), Jardine and Siikamäki (2014).

Figure 7: Differences in reported mangrove area estimates, by source

Sources: Corcoran, Ravilious et al. (2007); Spalding, Kainuma et al.( 2010); Giri, Ochieng et al. (2011); Fatoyinbo and Simard (2013); Hamilton and Casey
(2016); Hutchison, Manica et al. (2014). Note: The figure illustrates the differences in the estimates presented in different sources, not changes in mangrove
coverage over time.

24
Table 9: Blue carbon stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa: area of habitats and carbon stored

Area (ha) Carbon stored in biomass and top meter of soil (Tg)

Salt Salt
Country Mangroves Seagrasses marshes Total Mangroves Seagrasses marshes Total

Angola 15,400 60,050 190,900 266,350 7 8 49 64

Benin 1,800 135,808 11,100 148,708 1 19 3 23
Cameroon 148,300 – 56,400 204,700 65 – 15 80
Congo 1,500 – 15,500 17,000 1 – 4 5
Côte d’Ivoire 3,200 – 50,100 53,300 1 – 13 14
D.R. Congo 18,300 – 5,400 23,700 6 – 1 7
Eq. Guinea 18,100 – 43,400 61,500 8 – 11 19
Gabon 145,700 – 103,200 248,900 66 – 27 93
Gambia 51,911 – 8,800 60,711 22 – 2 25
Ghana 7,600 271,858 53,200 332,658 3 38 14 55
Guinea 188,900 1,301,092 68,700 1,558,692 82 181 18 281
Guinea-Bissau 280,600 1,560,911 152,700 1,994,211 116 217 40 373
Liberia 18,900 – 53,000 71,900 8 – 14 22
Mauritania 40 – 112,800 112,840 0 – 29 29
Nigeria 857,300 884,495 88,800 1,830,595 377 123 23 523
São Tomé and Príncipe ND – 20,600 20,600 ND – 5 5
Senegal 120,000 151,982 55,600 327,582 50 21 14 85
Sierra Leone 95,500 447,248 77,600 620,348 41 62 20 123
Togo 200 18,804 5,200 24,204 0 3 1 4
Total 1,973,251 4,832,247 1,173,000 7,978,498 854 673 303 1,830
Note: Blue carbon areas were estimated for each country (GADM 2015) using ESRI ArcMap 10.3 Spatial Analyst Intersect Tool for vector data and Zonal Statistics as Table
Tool for raster data. Carbon stored was calculated as the sum of (1) mean above-ground biomass (Hutchison et al., 2014), (2) mean below-ground biomass (Hutchison et
al., 2014), and (3) mean soil carbon (Jardine and Siikamäki, 2014), multiplied by coverage of each blue carbon resource. For mangroves, mean carbon content in biomass in
(1) and (2) were calculated using biomass-to-carbon ratios of 1:0.46 and 1:0.39, respectively, after Howard, Hoyt et al. (2014), page 78 and 90, respectively. For seagrasses, a
carbon per hectare value of 139.2 tC/ha was used based on Pendleton, Murray et al. (2014). For salt marshes, a carbon per hectare value of 258.7 tC/ha was used based on
Pendleton, Murray et al. (2014). Sources: Green and Short (2003); Halpern, Walbridge et al. (2008); Fatoyinbo and Simard (2013); Pendleton, Murray et al. (2014).

to address this challenge will be the results from a NASA- biomass carbon above and below ground, as well as soil
funded project (2014 to 2018) that will estimate blue carbon carbon. For mangroves, this data is used in Table 9 to estimate
stocks, which may provide the most accurate data to date.* carbon stored in biomass the top meter of soil. For seagrasses
and salt marshes, an average carbon storage value is used
Table 8 provides detail on the extent and nature of blue from the literature.
carbon stocks in mangrove forests, based on storage of
Trends in the size and distribution of blue carbon
*Total Carbon Estimation in African Mangroves and Coastal Wetlands in Preparation
stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa
for REDD and Blue Carbon Credits. Available at http://cce.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/cce/cce_ The data sets summarized in Table 9 do not lend
profile.pl?project_group_id=3132. Last accessed 27 September 2015. themselves to time-series analyses of trends, given that

25
 Figure 8: Population density in West, Central and Southern Africa, urban areas, major ports, and mangrove coverage
Source: Global population density grid for 2000 (Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University and
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical - CIAT 2005), urban areas in 2001-2002 (Schneider, Friedl et al. 2003, Schneider, Friedl et al. 2009,
Schneider, Friedl et al. 2010), major ports (NG-IA 2015), mangrove coverage for mangroves classified <40 m high in 1999-2000 (Fatoyinbo and
Simard, 2013).

Table 10: Characteristics of large marine ecosystems along the coast of West, Central and Southern Africa

Percentage Catch
Population of population value (real
bordering relying on Area Catch 2,000,
LME LME for (million Protected (1,000 million
Current (millions) livelihoods km2) area Stressors Fish tons) US$)

Canary 58 70% 1.1 0.77% Intensive fishing, Small ~2,000 ~1,500

current climatic variability, pelagic fish:
(cold) eutrophication 60% of total
and pollution near catch
emerging coastal
mega-cities

Guinea 300 40% 2.0 0.33% Pollution (sewage) Small ~900 ~1,000
current near large coastal pelagic and
(warm) cities, coastal erosion other fish
and development

Source: Large Marine Ecosystems of the World. Available at http://lme.edc.uri.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=112. Last

accessed 25 September 2015

26
Figure 9: Relative fishing activity, population pressure, mangrove biomass and oil rigs in West, Central and Southern Africa
Sources: Relative fishing activity was determined as the sum of normalized stressor magnitude values calculated for artisanal, demersal, and pelagic fishing
activities in 2006 (Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015; Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015); population pressure was defined as the summed presence of three stressors:
urban areas in 2001-2002 (Schneider, Friedl et al., 2003; Schneider, Friedl et al., 2009, Schneider, Friedl et al., 2010), high population density areas (>399
people/km2) in 2000 (Bright and Coleman, 2001; Bright and Rose, 2014), and oil rigs for 2004-2006 (Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015; Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015),
where 3 = all stressors, 2 = two of any stressors, and 1 = any one stressor); mangrove biomass for mangroves classified <40 m high in 1999-2000 (Fatoyinbo
and Simard 2013); 30 mile coastal buffer created in ESRI ArcMap 10.3 from the coast (GADM 2015); 200 nm land buffer (VLIZ 2014).

each new iteration of FAO data collection includes a mix densities translate to pressures on a coastal ecosystem
of earlier data collected, while different data sets used through conversion due to urban development and sprawl,
different data-collection methods. As such, a comparison infrastructure and related pollution on land (roads and
of the data over time is not robust for purposes of drawing houses) and on the coast (ports). These pressures tend to
conclusions. be concentrated near areas of large blue carbon stocks (see
Figure 8, Figure 9, Table 11).
Drivers of the trends in the size and distribution of blue
carbon stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa are often Beyond these immediate pressures from increasing coastal
summarized as the “human footprint” — a quantitative population densities, West, Central and Southern Africa is
evaluation of human influence on the land surface, based also heavily dependent on the region’s ocean economy,
on population density, land transformation, access, and which includes fisheries, shipping, offshore oil and
infrastructure (Sanderson, Jaiteh et al., 2002). According to subsistence (Table 10, Figure 9 and Figure 10). For example,
this study, mangroves in the ecological zone termed the Afro- some of the world’s richest fishing grounds can be found in
tropical realm (which includes West, Central and Southern the large marine ecosystems off the coast of West, Central
Africa) are facing the highest mean Human Influence Index and Southern Africa, due to highly productive waters fed by
scores of any biome in the region. This intense human nutrient-rich upwelling currents in certain areas (see Table 10).
pressure on the mangroves of West, Central and Southern Many of the region’s fisheries depend on mangroves to
Africa is partly due to coastal population densities in some provide nursery areas and food sources for key species.
of the top mangrove countries (see Figure 8). Population Fishing intensity — both commercial and subsistence — is

27
 highest along the coasts of Mauritania, Senegal, and Guinea, For these countries studied in this report, we estimate
as well as from Côte d’Ivoire east to Cameroon (Figure 9). discounted values of avoided carbon emissions by country
These areas also coincide with major shipping routes, with (see Appendix 2 for the methodology). The few countries
the associated pollution potentially increasing pressure on in the region with limited mangrove resources also have
the blue carbon habitats (see Figure 10). low blue carbon financial values. Predominantly, however,
West, Central and Southern African countries’ blue carbon
Estimating the potential financial value of values range from several million to over US$ 340 million,
payments to maintain blue carbon stocks in depending on the carbon price and discount rate used.
West, Central and Southern Africa
Due to the new financial instruments referenced in Chapter Building from the above values, a preliminary economic
2, West, Central and Southern African countries may soon analysis of the net present value (NPV) of the carbon storage
be able to secure payments for the blue carbon stored and benefits from mangrove conservation in West, Central
sequestered by their intact mangroves. and Southern Africa is provided below. This considers the
potential payments for blue carbon, as well as the opportunity

Figure 10: Major commercial shipping activity, population pressure, mangrove biomass, and oil rigs in West, Central and
Southern Africa
Sources: Major commercial shipping activity was determined as the normalized stressor magnitude values for 2003-2011 (Halpern, Frazier et al.,
2015; Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015); population pressure was defined as the summed presence of three stressors: urban areas in 2001-2002 (Schneider,
Friedl et al., 2003; Schneider, Friedl et al., 2009; Schneider, Friedl et al, 2010), high population density areas (>399 people/km2) in 2000 (Bright and
Coleman, 2001; Bright and Rose, 2014), and oil rigs for 2004-2006 (Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015; Halpern, Frazier et al., 2015), where 3 = all stressors, 2
= two of any stressors, and 1 = any one stressor); mangrove biomass for mangroves classified <40 m high in 1999-2000 (Fatoyinbo and Simard, 2013);
30 mile coastal buffer created in ESRI ArcMap 10.3 from the coast (GADM 2015); 200 nm land buffer (VLIZ 2014).

28
costs of conservation, i.e. the benefits of conversion to countries in West, Central and Southern Africa can achieve a
agriculture. The additional benefits that intact mangrove net economic benefit from mangrove conservation. The top
forests provide, such as supporting the region’s fisheries, are eight mangrove countries by mangrove area, for instance,
not included due to lack of data. Hence, this analysis should can realize net benefits of millions of US$, even under
be considered conservative and indicative. However, even our conservative assumptions of carbon prices. Together
without including values for the benefits of intact mangroves with payments for other services provided, mangrove
in addition to blue carbon storage and sequestration, the conservation in West, Central and Southern African nations
analysis (see Appendix 2 for methodology and complete could be financially viable.
data tables with results) suggests that conservation of
mangroves is a net economic benefit for West, Central and Securing payments to maintain blue carbon
Southern African countries when factoring in net benefits stocks in West, Central and Southern Africa
(returns) from the alternative use of land in agriculture) as Recent research has identified the opportunities, constraints,
high as US$ 460/ha, with an average of US$ 221/ha. On the and issues of uncertainty associated with payments for
basis of the potential payments for blue carbon alone, most maintaining blue carbon stocks (Barnes, 2014;Table 14).

Table 11: Overview of drivers of mangrove and blue carbon loss in West, Central and Southern Africa

Population Main
dependent Main Main economic
GDP on marine mangrove mangrove activities
(US$ billions Population ecosystems loss driver loss driver related to
Country 2015) (millions) (millions) – Rural – Urban mangroves

Angola 131.4 22.14 10.4 wood removal development subsistence

Benin 8.7 10.60 5.0 wood removal, development subsistence,
aquaculture and fisheries, salt
agriculture
Cameroon 32.6 22.82 10.7 wood removal, development subsistence,
agriculture fisheries
Congo 14.1 4.56 2.1 wood removal development subsistence
Côte d’Ivoire 34.3 20.80 9.8 wood removal development, subsistence,
pollution fisheries
D.R. Congo 33.0 69.36 32.6 wood removal development subsistence
Eq. Guinea 14.3 0.78 0.4 wood removal, development subsistence
petroleum - petroleum
production industry
Gabon 17.2 1.71 0.8 wood removal development subsistence,
- petroleum ecotourism
industry
Gambia 0.8 1.91 1.3 drought, change conversion to subsistence,
in salinity aquaculture shrimp
Ghana 38.7 26.44 12.4 aquaculture and development subsistence
agriculture
Guinea 6.6 12.04 5.7 wood removal development subsistence,
fisheries, salt
Guinea-Bissau 1.0 1.75 1.2 rice plantations development subsistence,
fisheries
Liberia 2.0 4.40 2.1 wood removal development subsistence,
fisheries
Mauritania 5.1 3.98 2.8 wood removal development subsistence,
fisheries
Nigeria 568.5 178.50 83.9 wood removal development, subsistence,
pollution shrimp
São Tomé and Príncipe 0.3 0.20 0.1 pollution development subsistence
Senegal 15.6 14.55 10.2 erosion due to population-driven subsistence,
agriculture development fisheries
Sierra Leone 4.9 6.21 2.9 wood removal pollution subsistence,
fisheries, salt
Togo 4.5 6.99 3.3 wood removal pollution subsistence

Sources: Giri, Ochieng et al. (2011), The World Bank (2015)

29
 Table 12: Blue carbon financial value for West, Central and Southern African countries

Avoided C Discounted value of avoided C emissions (million US$)

emissions
(0.7% annual 5% 8%
Mangrove area loss,
Country (ha) 20yr, Mg) M$3/tCO2e $5/tCO2e $3/tCO2e $5/tCO2e

Angola 15,400 526,814 3.2 5.4 2.4 4.0

Benin 1,800 62,695 0.4 0.7 0.3 0.5
Cameroon 148,300 5,642,486 35.5 59.1 26.6 44.3
Congo 1,500 48,088 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.4
Côte d’Ivoire 3,200 116,214 0.7 1.2 0.5 0.9
D.R. Congo 18,300 415,856 2.4 4.1 1.7 2.9
Eq. Guinea 18,100 670,312 4.2 7.0 3.1 5.2
Gabon 145,700 5,452,036 33.7 56.2 25.0 41.6
Gambia 51,911 1,835,923 11.4 19.0 8.4 14.1
Ghana 7,600 268,337 1.7 2.8 1.2 2.1
Guinea 188,900 7,084,009 44.6 74.3 33.4 55.6
Guinea-Bissau 280,600 9,819,840 61.3 102.2 45.7 76.2
Liberia 18,900 735,654 4.6 7.7 3.5 5.8
Mauritania 40 942 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nigeria 857,300 32,642,801 205.3 342.2 153.8 256.3
São Tomé and Príncipe ND N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 120,000 4,124,332 25.6 42.7 19.0 31.7
Sierra Leone 95,500 3,502,329 22.0 36.6 16.4 27.4
Togo 200 4,444 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Total 1,973,251 72,953,113
Note: This analysis/table presents the financial value of avoided emissions; it does not examine whether women or men get paid for the blue carbon.

Table 13: Net benefit of blue carbon conservation of mangroves in West, Central and Southern Africa under low and high
conservation cost scenarios

Net financial benefit of mangrove conservation (million US$)

5% 8%

M$3/tCO2e $5/tCO2e $3/tCO2e $5/tCO2e

Country Low (US$) High (US$) Low (US$) High (US$) Low (US$) High (US$) Low (US$) High (US$)

Angola 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.8 4.9 4.6 3.6 3.4

Benin (0.2) (0.3) (0.1) (0.2) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 0.0
Cameroon (12.6) (15.7) (7.7) (10.2) 11.1 7.9 10.0 7.5
Congo 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3
Côte d’Ivoire 0.0 (0.0) 0.1 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4
D.R. Congo 1.9 1.5 1.3 1.0 3.5 3.1 2.5 2.2
Eq. Guinea 1.0 0.6 0.8 0.5 3.8 3.4 2.9 2.6
Gabon 29.2 26.1 21.7 19.3 51.7 48.6 38.4 36.0
Gambia 0.9 (0.3) 0.9 0.1 8.4 7.3 6.6 5.7
Ghana (0.1) (0.3) (0.0) (0.1) 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7
Guinea 12.4 8.3 10.4 7.2 42.1 38.0 32.6 29.5
Guinea-Bissau 13.5 7.5 11.6 6.9 54.4 48.4 42.1 37.4
Liberia 1.4 1.0 1.2 0.9 4.5 4.1 3.5 3.2
Mauritania 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 (0.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Nigeria 72.6 54.2 59.0 44.7 209.5 191.1 161.5 147.3
São Tomé and Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 10.2 7.7 8.0 6.0 27.3 24.7 20.7 18.7
Sierra Leone 5.7 3.7 4.8 3.2 20.3 18.3 15.7 14.2
Togo (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0)

Note: Discount rates of 5% and 8% and C prices of US$ 3 and 5 were used in the analysis to provide results under alternative scenarios.

30
Indeed there may be growing opportunities to receive blue area establishment and management. These credits, then
carbon payments, building on improved measurement, could be used as marketable “offsets” that buyers could use
reporting and verification. Successful recent blue carbon to help meet their regulatory or voluntary GHG goals.
project demonstration sites, such as Mikoko Pamoja in Kenya,
are paving the path to more complete and geographically If other ecosystem service payments, other than carbon,
widespread adoption of payments for conservation. could be paid to mangrove conservation project developers
the issue of credit stacking could arise. Stacking refers to
However, for every opportunity regarding payments for blue receiving multiple environmental payments to finance the
carbon conservation, there are just as many constraints. mangrove conservation project. Clearly, multiple payments can
With protected area establishment costs as high as over increase revenues and thus increase the attractiveness of the
US$ 230 per hectare, together with an unclear path towards conservation project. However, the use of stacked credits also
the acceptance of blue carbon into carbon offset markets, introduces the possibility that some of the stacked credits might
such payments often cannot be viewed as a stand-alone be “non-additional” in that they do not produce incremental
solution to financing mangrove conservation. Despite these pollution reductions and thus are suspect for use in offsetting
constraints, blue carbon payments have been advancing in a the offset buyer’s GHG pollution, in the case of carbon.
number of developing countries.
Taking into account the above opportunities and constraints,
An important issue to keep in mind when developing blue West, Central and Southern African countries or communities
carbon projects is additionality (Table 14). If a project is interested in exploring options for blue carbon payments now
started before payments for the avoided carbon emissions are have access to multiple guidance documents, from project
received through a carbon market transaction, for instance, planning and delivery to finance. There is recent and detailed
the additionality criterion might be compromised. If a blue guidance on planning a blue carbon project, from concept
carbon market were to form, these would essentially become development to regulatory compliance (UNEP and CIFOR,
environmental market products that could help mangrove 2014) as well as for fast-tracking national implementation of
conservation project developers cover the cost of protected blue carbon activities in developing countries.

Table 14: Opportunities, challenges and uncertainties identified for blue carbon payments

Opportunities Constraints Issues of uncertainty

1. Growing international awareness 1. Political stability in country 1. Regulatory environment

vie media reports, published papers, 2. Threats and sources of degradation 2. Issues of carbon supply (both in terms
conference presentations changing in timescale and intensity of area and changes to supply/quantity
2. Increasing financial support for 3. Lack of in-country ability to measure, over time)
scientific research (private foundations, report and verify changes in ecosystems 3. Confusion in identifying what payments
philanthropies, government and NGO 4. Emerging methodologies for will be for (carbon offsets of other
funding) developing carbon offsets from these ecosystem services)
3. Success of recent blue carbon ecosystem types 4. Lack of clearly defined property rights
demonstration projects (Murray, 5. Barriers to accessing existing carbon of blue carbon ecosystems
Pendleton et al., 2011) offset markets 5. Competitiveness of blue carbon offsets
4. Growing momentum to have blue 6. Behaviour leading to degradation versus other carbon mitigation strategies
carbon officially recognized in UNFCCC and destruction not easily changed (Murray, Pendleton et al., 2011)
processes (Murray and Vegh, 2012) without markets for protective blue 6. Developing buy-in of local communities
5. Soil carbon data leading to more carbon payments and current ecosystem user groups
comprehensive information 7. Start-up costs associated with initial (e.g. fishing communities)
6. Interest in accounting for blue carbon assessment of suitability of a blue 7. Difficulty demonstrating additionality
ecosystem services and carbon offset carbon offset site (Murray and Vegh,2012), permanence
potential [in mangroves (Alongi, 2008), in
seagrasses (Short and Wyllie-Echeverria,
1996), in salt marshes (Gedan, Silliman
et al., 2009)], and dealing with leakage
(Henders and Ostwald, 2012)
8. Rates of degradation over time, rates of
sequestration and size of carbon sinks
9. General carbon market uncertainty
(i.e. price of and demand for offsets)

Source: Barnes (2014)

31
 (UNEP and CIFOR, 2014) recommend the following general Legal and institutional feasibility assessments of blue
steps in planning blue carbon projects, which may be carbon projects are discussed in detail in UNEP and CIFOR
instructive in the context of West, Central and Southern Africa: (2014). Project developers must first assess public law
as it relates to land in the project area, land tenure and
1. Develop project concept (e.g. avoided emissions, restoration) rights, taxation issues, relevant regulatory requirements,
and transactional structures. The legal and institutional
2. Conduct preliminary feasibility assessment structure of the blue carbon project are important from
the perspectives of land categorization, planning or
3. Select a carbon standard and methodology, including: tenure; carbon rights; or the specific legal transaction
• Project proponent(s) features such as the transaction object, pricing, funding
• GHG accounting methodologies flows, revenue distribution, and transaction liabilities
• Carbon pools (UNEP and CIFOR, 2014).
• Eligible gases
• Project boundary Perhaps the most ambiguous yet crucial potential
• Baseline and project scenarios, and impediment to the success of blue carbon projects is land
• Leakage tenure. The overlapping of marine and terrestrial resources in
blue carbon itself creates tenure ambiguities, making resource
4. Ensure community engagement (after Blomley and management and coastal decision-making challenging. In
Richards, 2011; Lewis III and Brown, 2014) including gender- addition, land tenure issues specific to REDD+ (i.e. forest
focused engagement tenure and carbon rights) as described in Galik and Jagger
(2015) pose a risk to blue carbon project development and
5. Design the project by: management. This is partly because of differences in formal
• defining the system of concern and the existing (de jure) and informal (de facto) land tenure, in relation to
problem(s) the right of alienation of land with blue carbon resources.
• developing goals and objectives for the conservation or Moreover, under REDD+ payments, changes in land tenure
restoration activity, including the time period over which might result from the contractual agreement, especially
these should be met regarding carbon rights that are assigned at the development
• describing opportunities (benefits) that the project may of the blue carbon project, leading to the argument of land
deliver and constraints challenging the project grabbing and the possibility of the exclusion of certain
• articulating a conceptual model of the ecosystem groups from accessing their traditional areas. In particular,
functioning to be conserved or restored, articulating the gender roles in tenure may differ depending upon the
historic condition and existing condition context, and will need to be considered in the design of blue
• developing project alternatives. (It may be that a single carbon projects. These issues regarding land tenure must be
project alternative is clear, though often in multi-use appropriately resolved based on the latest scientific advances
landscapes more than one alternative may exist.) and recommendations, including recommendations for and
• evaluating project alternative conceptual/preliminary lessons learned from operationalizing REDD+ (Olander, Galik
designs against environmental, economic, social and et al., 2012).
other considerations by comparing future conditions
with project and baseline scenarios (as described for GHG Along with the development of blue carbon projects, national
assessment in section 4.3.6 in UNEP and CIFOR, 2014) climate mitigation efforts might also consider incorporating
• selecting the preferred alternative, and blue carbon activities into their programmes by following
• developing the final restoration design and the following steps outlined by Herr and Pidgeon (2015):
implementation plan for the preferred alternative
1. Considering the lack of high quality data in the region,
6. Assess non-permanence risk and uncertainty, i.e.: conduct a scientific assessment of blue carbon ecosystem
• Permanence, and health, potential threats, carbon content, ecological
• Scientific uncertainty importance and socioeconomic dependence of local
communities on these coastal marine ecosystems. These
7. Secure project development finance and structure assessments could build on past or ongoing efforts in the
agreements, taking into account: region, such as in Guinea-Bissau (e.g., Vasconcelos et al. 2014).
• Financial feasibility
• Legal and institutional feasibility 2. Undertake an analysis of existing legal and policy
• Public law and the land frameworks to determine how blue carbon may be included
• Land tenure, and in sustainable development, climate change, forestry,
• Carbon rights biodiversity and marine resource management regulations
• Assess social and environmental changes; and in the region as well as in each country having large blue
• Maintain regulatory compliance. carbon resources.

32
3. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis investigating the value of specifically to help finance blue carbon. For REDD+ to be
including blue carbon activities into national climate change applicable to the blue carbon in mangroves, the definition of
mitigation strategies, together with a description of the a forest must include mangroves in those countries that are
short and long-term benefits of carbon-related finance and seeking funding to reduce emissions from mangroves.
activities in coastal areas. These analyses should specifically
address the issue of additionality–projects initiated before Considering the constraints and opportunities in Table 14,
carbon payments could be paid for mangroves may not the general steps recommended for securing international
receive carbon payments if a carbon market develops. payments for conservation of blue carbon, and the options
for incorporating these considerations into national
4. Develop a blue carbon action plan addressing specific climate mitigation efforts, the following general steps are
national circumstances, opportunities, needs and capacities. recommended in order for West, Central and Southern
African communities and governments to complete a blue
5. Address power relations between men and women in the carbon transaction:*
communities and implications for blue carbon payments.
This is especially important in the regional context where General steps for completing a blue carbon transaction
the gender roles with respect to mangrove use differ, and
benefits (payments) could differentially accrue to each group 1. Establish a project proponent (i.e. developer or coordinator)
based on use or ownership of the resource. with a clear organizational structure, and adequate legal
and administrative capacity to undertake the blue carbon
To finance these activities and projects, the literature project. The need for an established legal entity to enter into
describes multiple current blue carbon-relevant financing agreements and disburse funds is critical to securing financing.
options (Herr, Agardy et al., 2015), including cap-and-trade
under the UNFCCC, large non-UNFCCC dependent cap-and- 2. As part of a feasibility (or pre-feasibility) study:
trade schemes, such as the European Union Emissions Trading • estimate social and technical feasibility (i.e. opportunities
System (ETS), large national schemes, subnational schemes and barriers of community engagement, restoration
or the voluntary C market (Ullman et al., 2013). To date, best practices, anticipated GHG benefits, available
only relatively smaller blue carbon demonstration projects methodologies, land suitability, project boundary,
have been funded through climate market mechanisms, additionality and permanence)
specifically through the voluntary markets. Meanwhile,
only the Verified Carbon Standard’s (VCS) tidal wetland and * Based on the newly released VCS methodology for blue carbon restoration (VCS,
seagrass restoration methodology has been developed 2015) and guidance on using the methodology (RAE and Silvestrum, 2015).

33
 • estimate financial feasibility, including income and expense 7. Provide assessments of permanence and estimate
estimates, financial flows over the lifetime of the project, leakage effects. The project must account for the effects
and best practices for structuring carbon finance, and of projected sea-level rise around the project area and
• perform a stakeholder analysis (including gender determine appropriate buffer pool contributions to show
analysis) and legal and institutional feasibility (e.g. carbon non-reversibility of net carbon stock accumulation due to the
and land tenure, taxation, regulatory requirements and project. It must also show that activities are not displaced by
transactional structures) to understand local, national, leakage effects, which could be ecological, activity-shifting
and international laws relevant to the project. or market changing, and can be overcome by buffer zones,
community benefits in the project area and so forth.
3. Define project area and project goals. Identify and describe
each discrete area of land in the project area and estimate the 8. Set up a transparent mechanism and procedures for the
effects of sea-level rise on the project area. The project must receipt, holding and disbursement of funds. Funds should be
fit under a recognized activity such as avoided conversion, earmarked and managed through an account established for
afforestation, reforestation, conservation, restoration, this sole purpose. The project proponent, a third party or a trust
improved forest management or reducing emissions from fund can all be charged with the handling of the funds.
deforestation and forest degradation.
9. Adjust projections according to new data that becomes available.
4. Demonstrate proof of clear and stable land tenure using Periodic (e.g. every five years or after disturbance) monitoring
official records. Documentation that facilitates clear delineation and verification of pre-defined parameters are required: their
of the project area should also be used. The project proponent associated costs must be described in the project document.
does not need to be the landowner or hold a land lease, but
should have the “right of use” of the land to implement the 10. Perform a socioeconomic impact assessment in a
blue carbon project and generate carbon credits. Title to the participatory manner to measure changes relative to the
land or to the use of land typically point to the “right of use”, baseline scenario. Take into consideration the potential for
although how it actually translates into the right to the carbon differentiated impacts on different groups of participants as well
credits generated is only evaluated as part of the validation as vulnerable non-participants. Develop an equitable benefit-
process (i.e. VCS does not provide any legal analysis). Carbon sharing mechanism. [This step is not explicitly required in the VCS
rights might need to be formally assigned in writing to avoid methodology. However, the Plan Vivo Standard for Community
tenure ambiguities, with due consideration of gender roles in Payments for Ecosystem Services Programmes offers this as one
tenure and linkage with distribution of benefits. of the principles to ensure equitable allocation of benefits in the
project area and the surrounding region.]
5. Show how much carbon is stored in the business-as-usual
scenario, the rate of GHG emissions due to disturbance (e.g. 11. Validate, register and verify project activities. Validation
deforestation) and net GHG emissions avoided (benefit) due to refers to an initial assessment of project design and
the project activity or activities in terms of changes in biomass governance (described in the project document) by a third
carbon, soil carbon or other GHGs. In this technically complex party expert, which leads to the registration of the project
phase, project developers may use — when they are or become under the standard. Typically, projects that are implemented
available — proxies, models, published data, field data, historical before validation must follow monitoring protocols described
or chronosequence-derived data, or default factors to cover in the methodology to receive pre-registration credits (within
carbon pools in soils and biomass. The GHG estimates must a five year time frame). Verification refers to the periodic
calculate or describe uncertainty around estimates of carbon performance evaluation (i.e. emission reductions below the
dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions using GHG projected business-as-usual scenario).
accounting methodologies approved by the methodology.
12. Open and hold a credit account in one of the applicable
6. It must be clearly demonstrated that the project is additional, registries (for VCS these include APX or Markit). The credits
such that in the absence of carbon finance it would not have generated can then be sold to different markets in over-the-
been implemented, and that it is not required by law, statute counter transactions (forward, forward option, or spot sale)
or regulatory framework. For this assessment, the business- or at auction (spot sale) once potential buyers have been
as-usual scenario must be described as the most likely of identified with the help of brokers or wholesale traders, or in
alternative futures without the project. There must also be a the case of public project holders through procurement.
financial, technological or institutional barrier demonstrated
between the business-as-usual scenario and its project
* Plan Vivo. 2013. The Plan Vivo Standard for Community Payments for
counterpart. It must also be demonstrated that the project Ecosystem Services Programmes. Available at http://www.planvivo.org/docs/
activities are not common practice in the project region. Plan-Vivo-Standard.pdf, last accessed 3/25/2016.

34
3.3 Regional policy frameworks for blue carbon in West, Central and Southern Africa

Regional development policy context for mangrove forests stemming from this policy consistency has
mangrove use been indicated in international workshops (USAID, FCMC et
Current regional economic growth policies were established al., 2014) and reports (Ajonina, J. G. Kairo et al., 2014) on blue
in 2010 by the ECOWAS Commission,* which set a future carbon, as well as ongoing research in the region.
economic trend for the region in its “Vision for 2020” paper
(ECOWAS-CEDEAO, 2010). Sustainable development and National Case Studies: examples of efforts to
environmental preservation are two key pillars of the secure blue carbon payments in West, Central
vision statement of ECOWAS, and form guiding principles and Southern Africa: Guinea-Bissau
for national policies related to the use of mangroves Guinea-Bissau contains an estimated 25 per cent of blue
throughout the region. At the national level, development carbon resources in West, Central and Southern Africa,
and economic growth policies for West, Central and including 280,600 ha of mangroves, 1.6 million ha of
Southern African countries are described in Poverty seagrasses and 152,700 ha of salt marshes. In terms of
Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs). Environmental policies carbon, the country has an estimated 373 Tg of carbon stored
within the PRSPs typically focus on 1) improved biodiversity in the biomass and soils of these ecosystems. Accounting for
2) ecological restoration of natural communities and 3) 14 per cent of West, Central and Southern African mangrove
development of protected areas and wetlands. Moreover, area and carbon storage, Guinea-Bissau’s mangrove resource
PRSPs in countries in West, Central and Southern Africa refer is the second largest in the region behind Nigeria’s.
to unsustainable natural resource management decisions
as key reasons for environmental degradation and set goals Assuming that mangrove loss matches the low end of the
to better align their environmental policies with sustainable globally estimated 0.7 per cent annual rate, the country is
management principles. losing approximately 200 ha of mangroves or almost 500,000
Mg of C per year. Over 20 years, the estimated value of these
Regional policy framework for mangrove C emissions reductions via conservation ranges between
conservation US$ 46 million and US$ 102 million, using C prices of US$ 3 or
Similarly to regional development policies, national Ministries US$ 5 respectively.
of the Environment in the region have in many cases defined
their policy goal as articulated by the Government of Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau has recently taken major steps to protect its
“to ensure environmental protection and the conservation mangrove resources, which comprise approximately 8 per
of natural resources for sustainable development” (Nigeria, cent of national territory along the Atlantic coast. The effort
1999). Crosschecking national policies of countries in the began in the 1990s, led largely by local and international
region, key components in national environmental policies NGOs such as the International Union for Conservation of
can be identified as: Nature (IUCN). Between 2004 and 2011, with support from
1. Ensuring that environmental quality does not the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the European Union
compromise good health and well-being (EU), IUCN, the World Bank, the MAVA Foundation and others,
2. Sustainable resource use the government successfully: (i) established a network of six
3. Restoration and maintenance of biodiversity coastal and marine protected areas, comprising five national
4. Linking of environmental, social and economic parks and the country’s first community protected area
development goals (Cacheu Mangrove Forest National Park, Cantanhez Forest
5. Encouraging individual and community participation in National Park, Cufada Lakes National Park, Joao Vieira and
environmental improvement initiatives Poilão National Marine Park, Orango National Marine Park,
6. Raising public awareness and engendering a national and Urok Community Marine Protected Area); (ii) created
culture of environmental preservation the Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP),
7. Building partnership among relevant stakeholders at all a financially and administratively autonomous public
levels, including government, international institutions agency to coordinate the participatory management of
and governments, non-governmental agencies and the protected area network, and (iii) designed and piloted
communities the Fund for Local Environmental Initiatives (FIAL) as a
mechanism to demonstrate tangible benefits from the
These components of environmental policy are fairly protected areas to resident communities, by providing block
consistent among countries in West, Central and Southern grants for pro-environment development. Today IBAP is a
Africa, and the regional need to better manage the use of fully functioning institution, coordinating the day-to-day
management of more than 450,000 ha of critical natural
habitats via a network of protected areas – covering some 15
* Members with BC resources studied in this report include Benin, Gambia,
Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra per cent of the country, soon to be extended to 26 per cent,
Leone, Togo. Other members: Cape Verde, Mali, and Niger. and providing tangible benefits to over 70,000 people.

35
 Through these efforts, some 181,200 ha of mangrove reductions resulting from forest conservation, as a firm
forests have been conserved in the national parks of baseline for the transaction
Cacheu and Catanhez. To help leverage international • verification of the carbon emissions reductions to be
finance to offset the costs of maintaining these parks and achieved by continued conservation in these parks, and
preventing mangrove deforestation and blue carbon loss, • ongoing monitoring of forest levels and continued
the country developed two projects in sequence to: (i) verification of emissions reductions.
quantify carbon stocks and sink effects of these mangrove
areas as an intermediate step to (ii) developing coastal In addition to the voluntary carbon markets, opportunities
adaptation financing through the wetland (blue) carbon may develop to draw upon the $100 billion in annual
market. These projects were funded by the Portuguese international financing committed for climate mitigation and
Ministry of Environment and the World Bank, respectively. adaptation at the Paris COP in 2015. As C prices are expected
As part of these efforts, satellite data were acquired, to rise, according to the most credible market predictions,
processed, and analysed and ground data were collected country officials should continue to work with project
to verify the remotely sensed data. An economic analysis developers and coordinators to 1) identify biophysical
of blue carbon conservation was undertaken for the two data availability and gaps 2) perform project-area-specific
parks, under the assumption that C credits generated from economic analyses of blue carbon conservation, and 3)
reduced emissions would be sold on the REDD+ platform. identify the benefits and drawback of the various C finance
These analyses found a breakeven C price of US$ 6.69- and other payments-for-ecosystem-services platforms
7.20 to undertake blue carbon conservation in the parks through which projects could be financed.
and other areas of the country. This range of C values is in
line with those estimated in other economic analyses of Examples of efforts to secure blue carbon
mangrove conservation. The results of this study indicate payments in West, Central and Southern
lower breakeven values than the analyses for Guinea- Africa: Senegal
Bissau’s parks for at least two reasons. First, this analysis In 2008, the Senegalese NGO Océanium along with the
does not account for carbon market transaction costs due Livelihoods Fund (investors from 10 European companies),
to associated ambiguities, and second, we do account for, IUCN and Danone started a revegetation project based on
and “price” soil carbon losses in this analysis. large-scale CDM reforestation methodology to restore the
shrinking mangrove forests. Their goal is to increase coastal
Building upon this work, the next steps towards completing resilience to sea-level rise, enhance local agriculture and
a blue carbon transaction on the voluntary markets in restore fish stocks. As part of the initiative, 79 million mangrove
Guinea-Bissau, based on the conservation efforts in Cacheu trees have already been planted across 7,920 ha, making it the
and Catanhez national parks, would be: world’s largest mangrove reforestation project to date. The
• validation of the mangrove and coastal forest equations project has been validated by the UNFCCC Board, audited by
necessary to accurately quantify the carbon emissions Ernst & Young, and approved by the Senegalese authorities.

36
4. Key messages and recommendations: a road map to
capturing the potential for blue carbon payments in West,
Central and Southern Africa
The West, Central and Southern African communities and particular attention paid to the poorer and most vulnerable
countries could explore global funding for mangrove people, such as women, children, the elderly and the
conservation, in payment for the carbon sequestration physically challenged; transparency; plural and inclusive
function of these ecosystems. While mangroves provide participation at each step of the project, from its conception
many well-documented benefits for communities along to its application and monitoring) and finally recognition
the coast of West, Central and Southern Africa, including (TEK, land tenure, social needs, and identity claims). As no
protection from flooding and nursery areas for commercially one knows these mysterious forests better than the local
important fish stocks, they also provide carbon storage for people, without their inclusion, no initiative will succeed.
which the international community may be willing to pay. It simply cannot be overstated that all efforts to secure
Hence if communities can capitalize on the global benefits to international payments for blue carbon in West, Central
fund the costs of local conservation and benefits, this may be and Southern Africa must consider these three dimensions
an additional pathway to poverty reduction in some cases. of environmental justice. On this basis, a set of ‘blue carbon
investment principles’ are proposed for West, Central and
Following the Paris COP in 2015, a number of opportunities Southern Africa, to ensure that all transactions are consistent
are emerging or continuing that may provide useful sources with the three dimensions of environmental justice.
of capital to finance conservation of West, Central and
Southern African mangroves, including cap-and-trade under Top blue carbon investment opportunities for
the UNFCCC, large non-UNFCCC dependent cap-and-trade West, Central and Southern Africa
schemes such as the European Union Emissions Trading Over 93 per cent of estimated area of mangroves in West,
System (ETS), large national schemes, subnational schemes, Central and Southern Africa can be found in seven countries
or the voluntary carbon market. The recommendations in this (Table 7).
chapter attempt to summarize existing information and draft
a road map that would allow the region to move forward in 1. Nigeria (857,000 ha)
exploring international financing for blue carbon projects. 2. Guinea-Bissau (280,600 ha)
3. Guinea (188,900 ha)
As a starting point for these recommendations, the three 4. Cameroon (148,300 ha)
dimensions of environmental justice — distribution, 5. Gabon (145,700 ha)
procedures and recognition (Schlosberg, 2013; Walker, 6. Sierra Leone (120,000 ha) and
2012) — must be reiterated as the foundation for any blue 7. Senegal (95,500 ha).
carbon payments. That is, distribution (carbon to whom
and provided by whom? Sharing of benefits – material From these seven countries, specific initial opportunities
and immaterial, direct and indirect; compensation, and might be identified based on consideration of risks, for
alternatives of traditional uses), procedures (fairness, with example using the following risk matrix as a tool:

Type of Risk Description Mitigation Measures

Political and Governance Risk of political instability, and changes in To be determined

governance that would affect blue carbon
stocks and distribution of payments

Technical Design Risk that current or proposed conservation To be determined

measures are not sufficient to avoid
deforestation and emissions

Social and Environmental Risk that local communities suffer as a result To be determined
of trade-off between mangrove conservation
and conversion, and/or do not receive the
benefits of blue carbon payments

Institutional Capacity Risk that the proponent is not capable of To be determined

delivering the blue carbon project

37
 The above tool is of course indicative only, but may be a Promote awareness within communities and benefit-sharing
useful starting point for identifying risks to the success of 1. Continue to educate and promote awareness of the
blue carbon projects in West, Central and Southern Africa benefits provided by mangroves e.g. by continuing
and the receipt of payments for conservation. to support local partners (e.g. NGOs) who are
engaging with communities and promoting on-
Proposed next steps for exploring international the-ground efforts. It is crucial that support for
blue carbon payments in West, Central and mangrove restoration and conservation comes both
Southern Africa from the national and regional levels as well as from
In order to move forward on the opportunities for communities themselves, including consideration
communities and countries to secure international funding of different gender roles and distribution of benefits
for mangrove conservation in West, Central and Southern within communities, in order for these types of
Africa, the following road map is proposed for interested initiatives to be sustainable over the long term. The
communities, governments, regional agencies and other goal is to avoid solutions that are not affordable or
stakeholders: locally maintainable.
2. Develop Blue Carbon Communities in which the specific
National-scale activities communities develop a comprehensive package of
At the national level, efforts to conserve mangroves are benefits derived from their mangroves, which not
often fragmented. These ecosystems have always proved only include carbon payments, but also payments
challenging to modern forms of governance: do they fall and benefits from potential tourism revenues due
under the fishery sector, the forestry sector or even the to well-managed mangroves, as well as increased
lands sector? The borders between their components are livelihoods and opportunities. The financial aspect of
never clearly defined, hence the terrestrial component, e.g. these benefits (e.g. funds from carbon payments) could
the forest component is normally within the competence then be funnelled back into the community to improve
of Ministries of Waters and Forests or Agriculture, while the infrastructure (schools, medical clinics), thus creating
aquatic component e.g. the canals and rivers that drain a tangible link between a healthy environment and
the forest (with variable extensions according to the cycles prosperity. This type of benefit scheme would increase
of tide) depend on Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Fishery, awareness of the need for positive relationships with
and/or the Environment. From a juridical-administrative mangroves and would help promote the importance
point of view, the mangrove forests are a composite and of mangroves to everyday life. These communities
unstable area, difficult to define. As a result, there are often could be set up in a similar manner to the work being
two prevailing views within state administrations: the first is done by The Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS), where “they
that mangroves are a wasteland, or a no-man’s-land, free for have introduced small-scale development projects
access by all; the second viewpoint is that mangroves are a that protect the biodiversity while enhancing the
very valuable socio-ecosystem. economy. As a result, local people take pride in their
communities and the reserve and the success of the
The following national-scale recommendations thus very project has provided electricity and better roads in the
much depend upon the jurisdiction for mangrove uses in a villages. The people now harvest and store fish instead
given country, and the groups that could help facility blue of turtles and profit from tourist activities including
carbon project development: home stays. The efforts of GWS have provided a means
of sustainable development for the lagoon and reserve”
Develop a portfolio of blue carbon projects where (Ajonina, 2011).
appropriate
1. Based on community leadership, interested project Mapping
proponents should follow the ‘General Steps for 1. Continue to build on national mapping activities, such as
Completing a Blue Carbon Transaction’ (see pages 33 those in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau, to focus on identifying
and 34) to develop a pipeline of blue carbon projects, key areas that will be crucial for climate change
where the benefits are shared equitably within mitigation and adaptation. From this, an online mapping
participating communities. Opportunities for external tool could be developed, possibly in conjunction with
support would likely be prioritized based on the list of the online data portal. This mapping tool could help
Top Blue Carbon Investment Opportunities for West, analyse country-specific risks for mangrove degradation,
Central and Southern Africa (as seen above), as that is including sea-level rise and urbanization.
where the highest density of mangroves can be found, 2. Develop maps that help prioritize areas that are most
as well as some form of risk assessment based on the important for coastal protection, fisheries production,
tool proposed above. Of course other parameters, climate change mitigation and adaptation. This will help
including current political needs, may influence the better prioritize future decisions and trade-offs, on the
choice of external support to develop blue carbon understanding that some mangroves may need to be
projects in a specific country or location. allocated for a range of objectives.

38
 ecologists. This could take the form of a regional forum
to consolidate work being undertaken in West, Central
and Southern Africa and assist in information sharing. The
process of sharing research findings and efforts needs
to be coordinated in order to avoid duplication of effort.
This has been echoed in several papers, as well as in the
Abidjan Convention’s Mangrove Management Protocol.
2. Develop an online platform/clearinghouse to gather
data to help reduce duplication of effort, improve data
quality and reduce overall costs. GIS data is a powerful
and important tool that provides decision makers
with the ability to implement, monitor and evaluate
development plans. Indonesia’s One Map programme
could be used as an example as it is being used to resolve
disagreements resulting from the use of different data
and maps in cases such as land disputes and overlapping
permits.

Develop pathways for blue carbon projects in West, Central

and Southern Africa to access international finance
1. Identify pilot opportunities within countries that would
be suitable for innovative financing for the restoration
and sustainable management of mangroves. A key output
could be a report on innovative financing strategies,
including how to stimulate private-sector engagement.
Sustainable management 2. As part of the online platform/clearinghouse, maintain
1. Promote the restoration, conservation and sustainable a list of international financing mechanisms as well as
use of mangroves at a landscape level, including the potential private buyers, to help connect projects to
development of sustainable management plans, the financiers.
identification and reform of perverse incentives and policy 3. Examine the option of a regional Conservation Trust Fund
measures, and the implementation of restoration measures. or a network of eligible national funds. A percentage of
These key lessons can then be shared across the region. the funds from carbon sales could be sent to the trust(s)
to provide a sustainable source of funding. The BioGuiné
Regional-scale activities Foundation could be a useful example.
At the regional level, the Abidjan Convention Secretariat 4. Examine replicable models for establishing microcredit
could establish a support programme and information schemes for the restoration and sustainable use of
clearinghouse to assist countries in undertaking the work mangrove areas. The Wetlands International bio-rights
needed to capture this opportunity, and to match projects methodology could be used as a model for setting up
to international financing mechanisms/buyers. This could successful blue carbon projects within communities.
include the following activities: 5. Provide an ‘on-demand’ network of expertise that
countries could access as needed to develop blue
Assessment and monitoring carbon projects and access international financing.
1. Conduct an in-depth socioeconomic analysis of
mangrove values, including carbon storage as well as Link with the Mangrove Protocol
other ecosystem services such as cultural values. This Blue carbon projects can help achieve a number of the
could be done at the regional level, but would also be resolutions within the Protocol – either directly or as the
very valuable at the country level, as mangrove forest motivating factor. The strength of the Protocol is that it
composition differs greatly from one region to the next, will assist in addressing direct on-site threats to mangrove
thereby affecting carbon sequestration rates. ecosystem services through its overall objectives, which
2. Explore technologies for the more accurate/real-time focus on better defining appropriate use of mangrove
monitoring of mangrove conditions (could combining ecosystems as well as rules for environmental protection and
satellite data, drones, on-the-ground reporting schemes). the preservation of these resources. By implementing well-
defined rules for the region, the Protocol will make it easier
Regional cooperation for blue carbon projects to be methodically established and
1. Identification and dissemination of existing lessons easily replicable. Many of the suggested recommendations
learned from within the region, including through are supported by the discussions and conclusions found
the engagement of social scientists, economists and within the Mangrove Protocol.

39
 Conclusion
Mangroves and their associated blue carbon properties As individual blue carbon projects are developed, it will
cannot be considered simply as a tree type, a species grouping, be crucial to determine the motivating factor in order to
a single forest or a single commodity exchangeable in the establish the project expectations, such as whether it is to
marketplace. In West, Central and Southern Africa, a mangrove obtain sustainable financing, national report strategies or a
is steeped in history, intertwined with the culture and tool to better inform and motivate mangrove conservation.
represents a complex socio-ecosystem with intergenerational It cannot be overstated that it is far better to protect
ramifications. For the local population, the mangrove is an mangroves now than have to restore or rehabilitate them
area appropriated, managed and used by the group that later. In short, valuable blue carbon projects could be
resides upon it, draws from it their means of existence and possible within West, Central and Southern Africa, both for
identifies with it. Lovelock and McAllister (2013) assert that the continuing to promote the conservation of mangroves, but
significant challenge for governments pursuing blue carbon also in helping to provide a source of innovative financing,
projects is how constructive engagement can be attained while bringing to light the wealth contained in these coastal
with the previously ignored local communities. There is a real ecosystems and their values – economically, ecologically
risk of over-exploitation and conflicting goals by a myriad of and culturally – at the community and regional levels, as
stakeholders that must be minimized to ensure successful well as at the global level.
blue carbon projects.

40
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 Appendix 1. Summary of financing options for blue carbon conservation
Category Financing mechanism Brief description

Carbon CDM CDM is one of the flexibility mechanisms defined in the Kyoto Protocol (IPCC,
finance 2007) that provides for emissions reduction projects that generate Certified
Emission Reduction units which may be traded in emissions trading schemes. The
methodology AR-AM0014, entitled ‘Afforestation and reforestation of degraded
mangrove habitats’ was written specifically for mangrove ecosystems.

Compliance carbon market Mangroves are not eligible to generate CCOs under this market as of April 2015. Work
is under way to develop methodologies similar to or based on the ACR’s wetlands
methodology and VCS tidal wetland methodologies.

Voluntary carbon market Include VCS, CAR, ACR, RGGI

VCS: Tidal Wetland methodology in final stages of development: http://www.v-c-s.
org/methodologies/methodology-tidal-wetland-and-seagrass-restoration
ACR: Approved methodology for the “Restoration of Degraded Deltaic Wetlands of
the Mississippi Delta”

Project Ecotourism, user fees Ecotourism (Sri Lanka) - http://www.sltda.lk/sites/default/files/Ecotourism_And_

self- Mangrove_Conservation_in%20Sri%20Lanka_%20Upali%20Ratnayake.pdf
financing User fees (scuba diving) - http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/
conservation/marine/sustainable_use/sustainable_tourism/tourism_benefits/

Funds World Bank BioCarbon Fund http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/brief/world-bank-carbon-funds-facilities

World Bank Forest Carbon Partner- http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/brief/world-bank-carbon-funds-

ship Facility – Carbon Fund facilities

UN REDD+ Programme The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on Reducing
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries.
The programme was launched in 2008 and builds on the convening role and technical
expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). The UN-REDD Programme supports nationally-led REDD+
processes and promotes the informed and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders,
including indigenous peoples and other forest-dependent communities, in national
and international REDD+ implementation. The programme supports national REDD+
readiness efforts in 56 partner countries, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America
through: (i) direct support to the design and implementation of UN-REDD National
Programmes; and (ii) complementary support to national REDD+ action through
common approaches, analyses, methodologies, tools, data and best practices developed
through the UN-REDD Global programme. By June 2014, total funding for these two
streams of support to countries totalled US$ 195.7 million. http://www.un-redd.org/

GEF SGP Established in 1992, the year of the Rio Earth Summit, the GEF Small Grants
Programme embodies the very essence of sustainable development by “thinking
globally acting locally”. By providing financial and technical support to projects that
conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and
livelihoods, SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the delicate
balance between human needs and environmental imperatives. https://sgp.undp.org/

GEF TF The GEF administers the Trust Fund (GEF TF), which is replenished every four (4) years
based on donor pledges that are funded over a four-year period. The funding is made
available for activities within the GEF Focal Areas defined during the replenishment
discussions. The GEF Trust Fund has received a total of US$ 15.225 billion during its
five replenishments. http://www.thegef.org/gef/trust_funds

GEF LDCF The GEF administers the Least Developed Countries Trust Fund (LDCF). The Trust Fund
established under the UNFCCC addresses the special needs of the 51 Least Developed
Countries (LDCs) that are especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate
change. The LDCF reduces the vulnerability of sectors and resources that are central to
development and livelihoods, such as water, agriculture and food security, health, disaster
risk management and prevention, infrastructure and fragile ecosystems. It is also tasked
with financing the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programmes
of Action (NAPAs). NAPAs use existing information to identify a country’s priorities for
adaptation actions. The LDCF is the only existing fund whose mandate is to finance the
preparation and implementation of the NAPAs. http://www.thegef.org/gef/trust_funds
44
Category Financing mechanism Brief description

Funds Green Climate Fund The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 as a finance mechanism under
(cont.) the UNFCCC. It is a mechanism to transfer money from industrialized countries to
developing countries in order to assist them in adaptation and mitigation practices
to counter climate change. The GCF supports projects, programmes, policies and
other activities in developing countries, with the long-term aim being a 50:50 balance
between mitigation and adaptation.

Amazon Fund The Amazon Fund aims to raise donations for non-reimbursable investments in efforts
to prevent, monitor and combat deforestation, as well as to promote the preservation
and sustainable use of forests in the Amazon Biome, under the terms of Decree
N.º 6,527, dated 1 August 2008. The Amazon Fund is managed by the BNDES (the
Brazilian Development Bank), which also undertakes to raise funds, facilitate contracts
and monitor support projects and efforts. The funds that make up the Amazon Fund’s
assets will come from donations and net return from cash investments. http://www.
amazonfund.gov.br/FundoAmazonia/fam/site_en/Esquerdo/Fundo/

Forest Investment Program The Forest Investment Program (FIP) is a financing mechanism aimed at assisting
developing countries in reaching their REDD goals. It does this by providing funds to
bridge the investment gap in order to initiate readiness reforms identified through
national REDD readiness strategy building, while promoting sustainable forest
management. Additionally, according to its Design Document, the FIP works “to
contribute to multiple benefits such as biodiversity conservation, protection of the
rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.” Administered by the World
Bank, the FIP is a component of the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF) and more broadly
the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs). It was approved in July 2009. http://www.
climatefundsupdate.org/listing/forest-investment-program

International Forest Carbon Australia’s International Forest Carbon Initiative supports global efforts to establish
Initiative a REDD+ mechanism under the UNFCCC. Jointly administered by the Australian
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and AusAID, the initiative
enables Australia to work closely with developing countries to find practical ways
to reduce forest emissions. The Australian Government does not intend to set up a
new fund or governance structure through IFCI, but will work through established
channels of bilateral dialogue and cooperation at the international level. http://
africanclimate.net/en/node/6291

International Forest and Tropical forests are among our most ancient ecosystems; indispensable to the
Climate Initiative livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people; habitat of half to one third of the
world’s terrestrial plants, animals and insects; crucial for global, regional and local
water supply; and an enormous carbon sink, which can provide one third of the
climate change solution over the next 15 years. Norway has pledged up to 3 billion
NOK a year to help save these forests while improving the livelihoods of those who
life off, in, and near them. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/climate-and-
environment/climate/climate-and-forest-initiative/id2000712/

Other Debt-for-nature swaps Debt-for-nature swaps emerged in the 1980s as a financial mechanism to limit steep
sources shortfall reductions in highly indebted nations’ environmental and conservation
budgets. It was an innovative idea that ameliorating debt and promoting
conservation could be done at the same time. This form of finance has been used
to fund environmental conservation in many developing countries. Wetland
conservation for adaptation and carbon sequestration could now be considered as an
additional objective for project activities funded under these types of initiatives.
Typically a debt-for-nature swap involves a lending country selling the debt owed
by a recipient country (the debtor) to a third party (for example, a non-profit
organization) at less than the full value of the original loan. In exchange, the national
government of the indebted country agrees to a payment schedule on the amount of
the debt remaining, usually paid through the debtor’s central bank, in local currency
or bonds. The third party then uses the debt repayments to support domestic
conservation initiatives.

45
 Category Financing mechanism Brief description

Other International Tropical Timber ITTO occupies an unusual position in the family of intergovernmental organizations.
sources Council Like all commodity organizations it is concerned with trade and industry, but like
(cont.) an environmental agreement it also pays considerable attention to the sustainable
management of natural resources. It manages its own programme of projects and
other activities, enabling it to quickly test and operationalize its policy work.
Example from Panama: The proposal builds on the results of the project PD 128/91
Rev.2 (F) “Management, Conservation and Development of the Mangrove Forests
in Panama”. The project aims to ensure the collective conservation and sustainable
management of 4,000 ha of mangrove forests along the Panamanian Pacific Coast
and to implement rehabilitation activities on 1,250 ha of degraded lands to maintain
the contribution of this ecosystem to the welfare of the Panamanian society,
particularly the communities that directly depend on these natural resources. Major
components include mangrove management, rehabilitation and extension and
reforestation with other timber species. www.itto.int and http://www.itto.int/project_
search/detail/?proid=PD156%2F02+Rev.3+%28F%29+I

Mangroves for the Future Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative to promote
investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-
chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the
many different agencies, sectors and countries that are addressing challenges to
coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. MFF is a unique partner-led initiative to
promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development.
https://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/

Plan Vivo Foundation The Foundation’s charitable aims are relieving poverty in developing countries
through engaging rural communities in sustainable land-use projects; promoting
environmental protection and improvement through biodiversity conservation and
the restoration, protection and management of terrestrial ecosystems; and building
local capacity through the transfer of knowledge, skills and resources to developing
countries www.planvivo.org

Private charitable funding

Source: Herr et al., 2015

46
Appendix 2. Methodology and detailed results of mangrove
conservation economic analysis

Methodology
Decisions on the use of mangrove forests often do not factor in the economic value of the services provided by these forests
such as potential payments for blue carbon.

A more complete analysis of the net benefits of various uses of mangrove forests would account for the wider services that
they provide when intact, such as storage of blue carbon (Siikamäki, Sanchirico et al., 2012; Alongi, 2014; Hutchison, Manica
et al., 2014; Jardine and Siikamäki, 2014). A preliminary analysis of the net present value (NPV) of the benefits from mangrove
conservation in West, Central and Southern Africa is performed in this study, considering the potential payments for blue
carbon storage in the below- and above-ground biomass, and top meter of soil, as well as the opportunity costs of conservation,
i.e. the benefits of conversion to agriculture.

The benefits that intact mangrove forests provide to the region’s fisheries (Rönnbäck, 1999; Barbier, 2000) are not included in
our analysis due to the absence of locally estimated values for West, Central and Southern Africa. This analysis calculated the
future values of upfront and annual costs and benefits in present value, using 5 per cent and 8 per cent discount rates and a 20-
year time-horizon, the midpoint recommended by UNEP and CIFOR (2014). Following the methodology of Pendleton, Murray
et al. (2014), the NPV analysis includes blue carbon payments (i.e. carbon credit revenue), mangrove conservation project
establishment costs, and opportunity costs of conservation (i.e. value per hectare of alternative use), but not forest carbon
project transaction costs (Galik, Cooley et al., 2012). The alternative use was assumed to be agriculture, for which returns per
hectare were collected from IFAD (2001) and adjusted to current dollar years using the CPI (BLS, 2015). For countries without
data, adjacent countries were used to estimates agriculture returns (see Table 1 below).

The analysis explicitly gives the estimated financial flows from blue carbon payments, based on avoided carbon emissions due
to mangrove conservation, two reasonable carbon offset prices of US$ 3 and US$ 5 per Mg CO2e (Goldstein and Gonzalez,
2014) and use of the low end of global mangrove loss rates. Assuming the low-end global conversion rate of 0.7 per cent per
year across the region (Pendleton, Donato et al., 2012), we estimate the value of avoided emission reductions from blue carbon
conservation using the two carbon prices.

Specifically, at the time of conversion we assumed that all biomass (above- and below-ground) carbon is lost in the year a
given area of mangroves is converted. Soil carbon is emitted with a half-life of 10 years (Pendleton, Donato et al., 2012). Mean
carbon stocks per hectare in the region ranged from 314.4 to 456.1 Mg C / ha. For comparison, according to measurements on

Table 1: Agriculture returns for West, Central and Southern African countries

Country Returns per hectare (2001) Returns per hectare (2015)

Nigeria *28.00* 37.52

Guinea 343.00 459.62
Guinea-Bissau 211.00 282.74
Cameroon 323.00 432.82
Gabon *28.00* 37.52
Senegal 28.00 37.52
Sierra Leone *28.00* 37.52
The Gambia 231.00 309.54
D. R. of the Congo *168.50* 225.79
Angola 201.00 269.34
Côte d’Ivoire *168.50* 225.79
Equatorial Guinea *175.50* 235.17
Congo *168.50* 225.79
Liberia *126.00* 168.84
Ghana 153.00 205.02
Benin 126.00 168.84
Togo *168.50* 225.79
Mauritania ND ND
São Tomé and Príncipe *287.00* 384.58
Note: Values marked with * are either from adjacent country, or average of adjacent countries, where data are available

47
 mangroves in the Central Africa region, undisturbed and heavily exploited mangroves store 967, and 741 tons of carbon per
ha, respectively (Ajonina, J. G. Kairo et al. 2014). We also accounted for continued carbon sequestration of intact mangroves at a
conservative rate of 1.89 tons C / ha / yr (Nellemann and Corcoran 2009) which is lower than the 16.52 tons C / ha / yr reported
for intact mangroves in Central Africa (Ajonina, J. G. Kairo et al. 2014). In this study we do not account for methane, and nitrous
oxide emissions associated with loss of mangroves.

We use the following model to estimate the financial value of blue carbon:

Where CS is carbon sequestration, AvCE is avoided above-, below-ground, and soil (top meter) carbon emissions assuming no
net loss of carbon in the business-as-usual scenario, PriceC is carbon market price, PAEstab1 is the one-time cost, in year 1, of
establishing protected areas where mangroves are conserved, PAMgmt is the annual cost of managing protected areas where
mangroves are conserved, OppCost is the opportunity cost of conservation (i.e. returns from the alternative use of agriculture)
and d is the discount rate. Viable conservation means that the net benefit of conservation is larger than the sum of blue carbon
protection cost and the opportunity cost in alternative use (e.g. agriculture).

Though omitted from the analysis for reasons cited above, the fisheries support function of mangroves is significant, and
would be an additional benefit of conserving the intact mangrove forests. According to Huxham et al. (2015), 39 per cent
of capture fish harvest has a life cycle dependent on mangroves. Rönnbäck (1999) estimates that the annual market value
of fisheries supported by mangroves ranges from US$ 750 to US$ 16,750 / ha, with a significant share of this coming from
subsistence (10-20 per cent in Sarawak, 56 per cent in Fiji, and 90 per cent in Kosrae).

The analysis uses two sets of protected area establishment and maintenance costs. According to the global analysis by
Pendleton, Murray et al. (2014) and economic analysis of blue carbon in Belize by Chang, Green et al. (2015), we assume
protection costs (to start a blue carbon project) to be US$ 232 / ha (McCrea-Strub, Zeller et al., 2011) or a lower estimate of US$
25 / ha based on Vasconcelos, Cabral et al., (2014). Ongoing management costs were assumed to be US$ 1 / ha (Vasconcelos,
Cabral et al., 2014) or US$ 7 / ha (Balmford, Gaston et al., 2003).

Regarding data quality, data on blue carbon loss rates over time, carbon burial rates, and carbon stock in soil and biomass
numbers are the best scientific estimates. These data are based on global, rather than regional or local estimates and conditions,
because data from West, Central and Southern Africa is currently very limited (Hutchison, Manica et al., 2014; Jardine and
Siikamäki, 2014).

48
Results by country

Nigeria
Mangrove area – year 0 857,300

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 322.00

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 117.70

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $205

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 851,299 845,298 839,381 744,897

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 6,001 5,917 5,876 5,214

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 1,932,354 1,905,301 1,891,964 1,678,998

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 96,618 191,883 286,481 1,797,021

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 706,329 696,441 691,566 613,721

Total C emitted (Mg) 802,947 888,324 978,047 2,410,741

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 814,289 899,507 989,152 2,420,596

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $205,341,512 $2,442,868 $2,698,521 $2,967,455 $7,261,789

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $342,235,854 $4,071,446 $4,497,535 $4,945,759 $12,102,982

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $153,800,970 $2,442,868 $2,698,521 $2,967,455 $7,261,789

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $256,334,949 $4,071,446 $4,497,535 $4,945,759 $12,102,982

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $2,394,512 $156,029 $159,845 $164,685 $241,973

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $20,771,228 $1,434,263 $1,456,191 $1,487,711 $1,991,026

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $1,847,511 $156,029 $159,845 $164,685 $241,973

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $16,111,026 $1,434,263 $1,456,191 $1,487,711 $1,991,026

Opportunity cost, 5% $130,358,919 $1,230,226 $2,443,228 $3,647,739 $22,881,321

Opportunity cost, 8% $92,957,856 $1,230,226 $2,443,228 $3,647,739 $22,881,321

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $72.6 $59.0 $209.5 $161.5

High cost of conservation $54.2 $44.7 $191.1 $147.3

49
 Guinea-Bissau
Mangrove area – year 0 280,600

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 316.30

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 97.10

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $226

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 278,636 276,672 274,735 243,810

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 1,964 1,937 1,923 1,707

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 621,276 612,579 608,291 539,819

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 31,064 61,693 92,107 577,765

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 190,724 188,054 186,737 165,717

Total C emitted (Mg) 221,788 249,746 278,845 743,483

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 225,500 253,407 282,479 746,708

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $61,334,514 $676,500 $760,220 $847,438 $2,240,124

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $102,224,190 $1,127,500 $1,267,034 $1,412,397 $3,733,541

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $45,734,846 $676,500 $760,220 $847,438 $2,240,124

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $76,224,744 $1,127,500 $1,267,034 $1,412,397 $3,733,541

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $783,740 $51,069 $52,318 $53,903 $79,199

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $6,798,561 $469,444 $476,621 $486,938 $651,676

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $604,703 $51,069 $52,318 $53,903 $79,199

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $5,273,246 $469,444 $476,621 $486,938 $651,676

Opportunity cost, 5% $47,038,144 $443,909 $881,604 $1,316,234 $8,256,396

Opportunity cost, 8% $33,542,507 $443,909 $881,604 $1,316,234 $8,256,396

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $13.5 $11.6 $54.4 $42.1

High cost of conservation $7.5 $6.9 $48.4 $37.4

50
Guinea
Mangrove area – year 0 188,900

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 317.50

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 115.70

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $226

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 187,578 186,255 184,952 164,133

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 1,322 1,304 1,295 1,149

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 419,830 413,953 411,055 364,785

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 20,992 41,689 62,242 390,427

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 152,990 150,848 149,792 132,931

Total C emitted (Mg) 173,982 192,537 212,034 523,358

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 176,481 195,002 214,481 525,530

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $44,557,142 $529,442 $585,005 $643,443 $1,576,590

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $74,261,904 $882,404 $975,008 $1,072,406 $2,627,649

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $33,370,887 $529,442 $585,005 $643,443 $1,576,590

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $55,618,144 $882,404 $975,008 $1,072,406 $2,627,649

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $527,614 $34,380 $35,221 $36,287 $53,317

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $4,576,793 $316,030 $320,861 $327,807 $438,709

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $407,086 $34,380 $35,221 $36,287 $53,317

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $3,549,951 $316,030 $320,861 $327,807 $438,709

Opportunity cost, 5% $31,666,092 $298,840 $593,496 $886,089 $5,558,208

Opportunity cost, 8% $22,580,825 $298,840 $593,496 $886,089 $5,558,208

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $12.4 $10.4 $42.1 $32.6

High cost of conservation $8.3 $7.2 $38.0 $29.5

51
 Gabon
Mangrove area – year 0 145,700

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 368.30

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 87.80

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $38

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 144,680 143,660 142,655 126,597

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 1,020 1,006 999 886

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 375,629 370,370 367,778 326,379

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 18,781 37,300 55,689 349,322

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 89,547 88,294 87,676 77,806

Total C emitted (Mg) 108,329 125,594 143,364 427,128

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 110,256 127,494 145,252 428,803

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $33,717,149 $330,769 $382,482 $435,755 $1,286,409

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $56,195,248 $551,281 $637,471 $726,258 $2,144,016

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $24,983,267 $330,769 $382,482 $435,755 $1,286,409

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $41,638,779 $551,281 $637,471 $726,258 $2,144,016

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $406,953 $26,517 $27,166 $27,989 $41,124

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $3,530,115 $243,756 $247,483 $252,840 $338,379

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $313,988 $26,517 $27,166 $27,989 $41,124

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $2,738,104 $243,756 $247,483 $252,840 $338,379

Opportunity cost, 5% $4,106,740 $38,756 $76,970 $114,916 $720,838

Opportunity cost, 8% $2,928,482 $38,756 $76,970 $114,916 $720,838

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $29.2 $21.7 $51.7 $38.4

High cost of conservation $26.1 $19.3 $48.6 $36.0

52
Cameroon
Mangrove area – year 0 148,300

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 324.20

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 116.30

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $433

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 147,262 146,224 145,200 128,856

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 1,038 1,024 1,016 902

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 336,552 331,840 329,517 292,426

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 16,828 33,420 49,895 312,981

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 120,731 119,041 118,208 104,902

Total C emitted (Mg) 137,559 152,460 168,103 417,883

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 139,521 154,395 170,024 419,588

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $35,466,647 $418,562 $463,185 $510,072 $1,258,764

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $59,111,079 $697,603 $771,975 $850,120 $2,097,939

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $26,551,569 $418,562 $463,185 $510,072 $1,258,764

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $44,252,615 $697,603 $771,975 $850,120 $2,097,939

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $414,215 $26,991 $27,651 $28,488 $41,858

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $3,593,110 $248,106 $251,899 $257,352 $344,418

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $319,592 $26,991 $27,651 $28,488 $41,858

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $2,786,965 $248,106 $251,899 $257,352 $344,418

Opportunity cost, 5% $47,608,278 $449,290 $892,289 $1,332,188 $8,356,469

Opportunity cost, 8% $33,949,065 $449,290 $892,289 $1,332,188 $8,356,469

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation ($12.6) ($7.7) $11.1 $10.0

High cost of conservation ($15.7) ($10.2) $7.9 $7.5

53
 Senegal
Mangrove area – year 0 120,000

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 328.20

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 85.90

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $169

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 119,160 118,320 117,492 104,266

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 840 828 822 730

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 275,688 271,828 269,926 239,542

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 13,784 27,376 40,872 256,380

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 72,156 71,146 70,648 62,695

Total C emitted (Mg) 85,940 98,522 111,520 319,075

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 87,528 100,087 113,074 320,455

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $25,598,924 $262,584 $300,261 $339,223 $961,365

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $42,664,874 $437,640 $500,435 $565,372 $1,602,275

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $19,012,051 $262,584 $300,261 $339,223 $961,365

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $31,686,752 $437,640 $500,435 $565,372 $1,602,275

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $335,170 $21,840 $22,374 $23,052 $33,870

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $2,907,439 $200,760 $203,829 $208,241 $278,693

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $258,604 $21,840 $22,374 $23,052 $33,870

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $2,255,130 $200,760 $203,829 $208,241 $278,693

Opportunity cost, 5% $15,024,767 $141,792 $281,599 $420,427 $2,637,231

Opportunity cost, 8% $10,714,036 $141,792 $281,599 $420,427 $2,637,231

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $10.2 $8.0 $27.3 $20.7

High cost of conservation $7.7 $6.0 $24.7 $18.7

54
Sierra-Leone
Mangrove area – year 0 95,500

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 320.00

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 108.00

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $226

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 94,832 94,163 93,504 82,979

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 669 659 655 581

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 213,920 210,925 209,449 185,872

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 10,696 21,242 31,715 198,938

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 72,198 71,187 70,689 62,732

Total C emitted (Mg) 82,894 92,429 102,404 261,670

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 84,157 93,675 103,641 262,768

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $21,959,408 $252,472 $281,026 $310,922 $788,303

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $36,599,013 $420,787 $468,376 $518,203 $1,313,839

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $16,413,843 $252,472 $281,026 $310,922 $788,303

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $27,356,406 $420,787 $468,376 $518,203 $1,313,839

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $266,740 $17,381 $17,806 $18,345 $26,955

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $2,313,837 $159,772 $162,214 $165,725 $221,793

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $205,806 $17,381 $17,806 $18,345 $26,955

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $1,794,708 $159,772 $162,214 $165,725 $221,793

Opportunity cost, 5% $15,994,894 $150,947 $299,781 $447,574 $2,807,513

Opportunity cost, 8% $11,405,826 $150,947 $299,781 $447,574 $2,807,513

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $5.7 $4.8 $20.3 $15.7

High cost of conservation $3.7 $3.2 $18.3 $14.2

55
 The Gambia
Mangrove area – year 0 51,911

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 343.40

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 85.40

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $269

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 51,548 51,184 50,826 45,105

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 363 358 356 316

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 124,784 123,037 122,175 108,423

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 6,239 12,391 18,500 116,044

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 31,032 30,598 30,384 26,964

Total C emitted (Mg) 37,272 42,989 48,884 143,008

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 37,958 43,666 49,556 143,605

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $11,372,625 $113,875 $130,998 $148,668 $430,814

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $18,954,374 $189,792 $218,331 $247,780 $718,024

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $8,435,619 $113,875 $130,998 $148,668 $430,814

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $14,059,366 $189,792 $218,331 $247,780 $718,024

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $144,992 $9,448 $9,679 $9,972 $14,652

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $1,257,734 $86,847 $88,175 $90,083 $120,560

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $111,870 $9,448 $9,679 $9,972 $14,652

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $975,551 $86,847 $88,175 $90,083 $120,560

Opportunity cost, 5% $10,369,309 $97,857 $194,345 $290,157 $1,820,079

Opportunity cost, 8% $7,394,268 $97,857 $194,345 $290,157 $1,820,079

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $0.9 $0.9 $8.4 $6.6

High cost of conservation ($0.3) $0.1 $7.3 $5.7

56
Liberia
Mangrove area – year 0 18,900

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 322.20

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 124.10

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $226

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 18,768 18,635 18,505 16,422

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 132 130 130 115

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 42,627 42,030 41,736 37,038

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 2,131 4,233 6,320 39,642

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 16,418 16,189 16,075 14,266

Total C emitted (Mg) 18,550 20,421 22,395 53,907

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 18,800 20,668 22,640 54,125

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $4,637,770 $56,399 $62,004 $67,919 $162,374

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $7,729,617 $93,999 $103,340 $113,199 $270,623

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $3,478,414 $56,399 $62,004 $67,919 $162,374

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $5,797,357 $93,999 $103,340 $113,199 $270,623

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $52,789 $3,440 $3,524 $3,631 $5,335

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $457,922 $31,620 $32,103 $32,798 $43,894

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $40,730 $3,440 $3,524 $3,631 $5,335

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $355,183 $31,620 $32,103 $32,798 $43,894

Opportunity cost, 5% $3,165,482 $29,873 $59,328 $88,577 $555,623

Opportunity cost, 8% $2,257,279 $29,873 $59,328 $88,577 $555,623

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $1.4 $1.2 $4.5 $3.5

High cost of conservation $1.0 $0.9 $4.1 $3.2

57
 Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mangrove area – year 0 18,300

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 321.60

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) –

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $38

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 18,172 18,044 17,917 15,901

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 128 126 125 111

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 41,197 40,620 40,336 35,796

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 2,060 4,091 6,108 38,312

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 0 0 0 0

Total C emitted (Mg) 2,060 4,091 6,108 38,312

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 2,302 4,330 6,345 38,522

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $2,434,383 $6,906 $12,989 $19,034 $115,566

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $4,057,305 $11,510 $21,648 $31,723 $192,610

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $1,738,426 $6,906 $12,989 $19,034 $115,566

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $2,897,376 $11,510 $21,648 $31,723 $192,610

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $51,113 $3,331 $3,412 $3,515 $5,165

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $443,384 $30,616 $31,084 $31,757 $42,501

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $39,437 $3,331 $3,412 $3,515 $5,165

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $343,907 $30,616 $31,084 $31,757 $42,501

Opportunity cost, 5% $509,022 $4,804 $9,540 $14,244 $89,346

Opportunity cost, 8% $362,979 $4,804 $9,540 $14,244 $89,346

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $1.9 $1.3 $3.5 $2.5

High cost of conservation $1.5 $1.0 $3.1 $2.2

58
Equatorial Guinea
Mangrove area – year 0 18,100

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 340.80

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 99.60

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $235

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 17,973 17,847 17,722 15,727

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 127 125 124 110

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 43,179 42,575 42,277 37,518

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 2,159 4,288 6,402 40,155

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 12,619 12,443 12,356 10,965

Total C emitted (Mg) 14,778 16,730 18,757 51,120

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 15,018 16,966 18,992 51,328

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $4,178,314 $45,053 $50,899 $56,975 $153,984

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $6,963,856 $75,089 $84,832 $94,958 $256,641

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $3,111,637 $45,053 $50,899 $56,975 $153,984

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $5,186,062 $75,089 $84,832 $94,958 $256,641

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $50,555 $3,294 $3,375 $3,477 $5,109

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $438,539 $30,281 $30,744 $31,410 $42,036

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $39,006 $3,294 $3,375 $3,477 $5,109

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $340,149 $30,281 $30,744 $31,410 $42,036

Opportunity cost, 5% $3,157,693 $29,800 $59,182 $88,359 $554,256

Opportunity cost, 8% $2,251,725 $29,800 $59,182 $88,359 $554,256

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $1.0 $0.8 $3.8 $2.9

High cost of conservation $0.6 $0.5 $3.4 $2.6

59
 Angola
Mangrove area – year 0 15,400

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 354.40

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 70.60

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $38

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 15,292 15,184 15,078 13,381

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 108 106 106 94

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 38,204 37,669 37,406 33,195

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 1,910 3,794 5,664 35,529

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 7,611 7,504 7,452 6,613

Total C emitted (Mg) 9,521 11,298 13,116 42,141

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 9,725 11,499 13,315 42,319

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $3,237,087 $29,174 $34,496 $39,945 $126,956

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $5,395,144 $48,623 $57,494 $66,575 $211,593

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $2,388,628 $29,174 $34,496 $39,945 $126,956

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $3,981,047 $48,623 $57,494 $66,575 $211,593

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $43,014 $2,803 $2,871 $2,958 $4,347

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $373,121 $25,764 $26,158 $26,724 $35,766

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $33,188 $2,803 $2,871 $2,958 $4,347

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $289,408 $25,764 $26,158 $26,724 $35,766

Opportunity cost, 5% $428,357 $4,042 $8,028 $11,986 $75,188

Opportunity cost, 8% $305,458 $4,042 $8,028 $11,986 $75,188

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $2.8 $2.0 $4.9 $3.6

High cost of conservation $2.4 $1.8 $4.6 $3.4

60
Ghana
Mangrove area – year 0 7,600

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 320.20

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 97.40

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $310

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 7,547 7,494 7,441 6,604

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 53 52 52 46

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 17,035 16,796 16,679 14,801

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 852 1,692 2,525 15,842

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 5,182 5,109 5,073 4,502

Total C emitted (Mg) 6,033 6,801 7,599 20,344

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 6,134 6,900 7,697 20,431

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $1,675,397 $18,402 $20,699 $23,092 $61,294

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $2,792,328 $30,670 $34,499 $38,486 $102,156

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $1,248,983 $18,402 $20,699 $23,092 $61,294

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $2,081,639 $30,670 $34,499 $38,486 $102,156

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $21,227 $1,383 $1,417 $1,460 $2,145

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $184,138 $12,715 $12,909 $13,189 $17,651

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $16,378 $1,383 $1,417 $1,460 $2,145

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $142,825 $12,715 $12,909 $13,189 $17,651

Opportunity cost, 5% $1,744,730 $16,465 $32,700 $48,822 $306,245

Opportunity cost, 8% $1,244,153 $16,465 $32,700 $48,822 $306,245

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation ($0.1) ($0.0) $1.0 $0.8

High cost of conservation ($0.3) ($0.1) $0.9 $0.7

61
 Côte d’Ivoire
Mangrove area – year 0 3,200

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 321.60

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 104.40

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $283

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 3,178 3,155 3,133 2,780

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 22 22 22 19

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 7,204 7,103 7,053 6,259

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 360 715 1,068 6,699

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 2,339 2,306 2,290 2,032

Total C emitted (Mg) 2,699 3,021 3,358 8,731

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 2,741 3,063 3,399 8,768

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $727,496 $8,223 $9,189 $10,197 $26,304

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $1,212,493 $13,705 $15,315 $16,996 $43,840

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $543,234 $8,223 $9,189 $10,197 $26,304

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $905,389 $13,705 $15,315 $16,996 $43,840

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $8,938 $582 $597 $615 $903

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $77,532 $5,354 $5,435 $5,553 $7,432

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $6,896 $582 $597 $615 $903

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $60,137 $5,354 $5,435 $5,553 $7,432

Opportunity cost, 5% $671,011 $6,332 $12,576 $18,776 $117,780

Opportunity cost, 8% $478,493 $6,332 $12,576 $18,776 $117,780

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $0.0 $0.1 $0.5 $0.4

High cost of conservation ($0.0) $0.0 $0.5 $0.4

62
Benin
Mangrove area – year 0 1,800

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 317.10

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 95.40

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $460

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 1,787 1,775 1,762 1,564

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 13 12 12 11

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 3,995 3,940 3,912 3,472

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 200 397 592 3,716

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 1,202 1,185 1,177 1,044

Total C emitted (Mg) 1,402 1,582 1,769 4,760

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 1,426 1,605 1,793 4,781

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $391,274 $4,277 $4,816 $5,378 $14,342

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $652,123 $7,128 $8,027 $8,963 $23,904

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $291,609 $4,277 $4,816 $5,378 $14,342

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $486,015 $7,128 $8,027 $8,963 $23,904

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $5,028 $328 $336 $346 $508

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $43,612 $3,011 $3,057 $3,124 $4,180

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $3,879 $328 $336 $346 $508

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $33,827 $3,011 $3,057 $3,124 $4,180

Opportunity cost, 5% $613,630 $5,791 $11,501 $17,171 $107,708

Opportunity cost, 8% $437,574 $5,791 $11,501 $17,171 $107,708

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation ($0.2) ($0.1) $0.0 $0.0

High cost of conservation ($0.3) ($0.2) ($0.0) $0.0

63
 Congo
Mangrove area – year 0 1,500

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 321.40

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) 71.80

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $38

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 1,490 1,479 1,469 1,303

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 11 10 10 9

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 3,375 3,327 3,304 2,932

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 169 335 500 3,138

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 754 743 738 655

Total C emitted (Mg) 923 1,078 1,238 3,793

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 942 1,098 1,258 3,811

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $296,714 $2,827 $3,294 $3,774 $11,432

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $494,524 $4,712 $5,490 $6,289 $19,053

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $219,534 $2,827 $3,294 $3,774 $11,432

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $365,891 $4,712 $5,490 $6,289 $19,053

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $4,190 $273 $280 $288 $423

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $36,343 $2,510 $2,548 $2,603 $3,484

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $3,233 $273 $280 $288 $423

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $28,189 $2,510 $2,548 $2,603 $3,484

Opportunity cost, 5% $41,723 $394 $782 $1,168 $7,323

Opportunity cost, 8% $29,752 $394 $782 $1,168 $7,323

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $0.3 $0.2 $0.4 $0.3

High cost of conservation $0.2 $0.2 $0.4 $0.3

64
Togo
Mangrove area – year 0 200

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 314.40

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) –

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $385

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 199 197 196 174

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 1 1 1 1

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 440 434 431 382

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 22 44 65 409

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 0 0 0 0

Total C emitted (Mg) 22 44 65 409

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 25 46 68 412

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $26,017 $74 $139 $204 $1,235

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $43,362 $123 $232 $339 $2,058

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $18,580 $74 $139 $204 $1,235

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $30,966 $123 $232 $339 $2,058

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $559 $36 $37 $38 $56

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $4,846 $335 $340 $347 $464

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $431 $36 $37 $38 $56

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $3,759 $335 $340 $347 $464

Opportunity cost, 5% $57,055 $538 $1,069 $1,597 $10,015

Opportunity cost, 8% $40,685 $538 $1,069 $1,597 $10,015

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation ($0.0) ($0.0) ($0.0) ($0.0)

High cost of conservation ($0.0) ($0.0) ($0.0) ($0.0)

65
 Mauritania
Mangrove area – year 0 40

C density top m of soil (Mg/ha) 333.50

C density of above + below ground biomass (Mg/ha) –

Above ground land value (US$/ha) $169

Years (end of)

Present value 1 2 3 20

Area of Blue Carbon (ha) 40 39 39 35

Area lost (ha) @0.7%/yr 0 0 0 0

Soil carbon exposed (Mg) 93 92 91 81

Soil carbon cumulative loss (Mg) 5 9 14 87

Biomass carbon lost (Mg) 0 0 0 0

Total C emitted (Mg) 5 9 14 87

Carbon benefit of conservation (Mg) 5 10 14 87

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 5% $5,515 $16 $29 $43 $262

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 5% $9,192 $26 $49 $72 $436

C value at US$ 3/tCO2e, 8% $3,938 $16 $29 $43 $262

C value at US$ 5/tCO2e, 8% $6,564 $26 $49 $72 $436

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 5% $112 $7 $7 $8 $11

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 5% $969 $67 $68 $69 $93

Cost to conserve ($25/ha estab., US$ 1/yr), 8% $86 $7 $7 $8 $11

Cost to conserve ($232/ha estab., US$ 7/yr), 8% $752 $67 $68 $69 $93

Opportunity cost, 5% $5,014 $47 $94 $140 $880

Opportunity cost, 8% $3,576 $47 $94 $140 $880

Low carbon price High carbon price

Net Benefit of Conservation
(million US$) 5% 8% 5% 8%

Low cost of conservation $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0

High cost of conservation ($0.0) ($0.0) $0.0 $0.0

66
67
 This report explores the potential of international carbon finance mechanisms to help fund mangrove
conservation along the coast of West, Central and Southern Africa that is covered by the Abidjan
Convention – from the southern border of Mauritania down to the northern border of Angola – and
the scale of economic benefits that this conservation might provide for communities and countries
in the region. Extensive mangrove forests in this region have long provided wide-ranging benefits
to coastal communities, including support to fisheries, protection of towns and structures from
flooding and erosion, as well as a range of cultural and spiritual benefits in different contexts.
However, as these benefits are not always recognized in traditional assessments or valuations, as
in so many areas of the world, mangrove forests in West, Central and Southern Africa have become
vulnerable to conversion into other systems that support more measurable or readily apparent
benefits. In response, many countries throughout the region have prioritized mangrove conservation
in policies and laws, in some cases with the support of development partners. In this context, the
growing recognition of the overall range of benefits that the region’s mangrove forests provide to
the international community could potentially provide a new source of support to communities’ and
countries’ conservation efforts. However, exploring this possibility will require a minimum level of
key information and knowledge on the global benefits of the region’s mangroves – where little has
been documented relative to the rest of the world.

68 NICHOLAS INSTITUTE
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY SOLUTIONS