Safeguarding Our Seas: Establishing Community Patrols in Vanga

24/11/2025 by Amelia Allerton in Community / Conservation / Natural Captial

Mwinyi Hassan Mohamed is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Vanga Seagrass Project. He has recently worked with the communities of Vanga Bay and the local Beach Management Units (BMUs) to establish regular patrols within the 225ha seagrass locally managed marine area (LMMA). He has written this blog to share his thoughts and expertise on the process.

Introduction – World Fisheries Day

Every year on World Fisheries Day, communities across the globe come together to recognize the immense value of our oceans and the people whose lives depend on them. The purpose of this day is clear and urgent: to highlight the importance of sustainable fish stocks, to strengthen human rights for small-scale fishing communities, and to improve the working conditions of those who work tirelessly on our waters.
For the Vanga Seagrass Project in Vanga Bay, on the southern coast of Kenya, these values are lived out daily. At the heart of the project, spanning a 225-hectare Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA), are community-led patrols that safeguard the seagrass meadows, protect fisheries, and uplift the people of Vanga.

Seagrass biodiversity (c) Dimitris Poursanidis

Why Patrols Matter in the Vanga LMMA

Seagrass habitats are nurseries for countless fish species, offering shelter and food that support local fisheries. But without proper protection, destructive practices such as illegal fishing gear, encroachment, and habitat disturbance can rapidly degrade the ecosystem. To address this, in summer of 2025, the Vanga Seagrass Project established dedicated patrol teams from the community, composed of local fishers—men and women who understand both the ocean and the needs of the community. These patrols serve three interconnected goals which I have listed below:

Goal 1: Strengthening Sustainable Fish Stocks
Through routine surveillance, the patrol teams ensure that the LMMA remains a safe haven for marine life. By monitoring fishing activities, preventing illegal gear use, and protecting breeding grounds, they help ensure that fish populations can recover and replenish naturally.

Healthy seagrass = healthy fisheries.
Healthy fisheries = long-term food security and stable livelihoods.
This work directly supports one of the central messages of World Fisheries Day: protecting the resource so it can continue to sustain future generations. – Mwinyi Hassan Mohamed

Goal 2: Upholding the Rights of Small-Scale Fishers
Small-scale fishers form the backbone of Vanga’s coastal economy. Yet, they often face challenges that threaten both their livelihoods and dignity—competition from trawlers, unfair practices, and degraded marine ecosystems. The patrol system empowers local fishers to take part in governing their own resources. By participating directly in marine protection, community members gain:
– A stronger voice in decision-making
– Improved recognition of their rights  Greater control over the sustainability of their fisheries
This aligns deeply with this year’s World Fisheries Day theme: ensuring that small-scale fishing communities are not only recognized, but respected and protected.

Goal 3: Improving Working Conditions and Community Resilience
Fishing is demanding work—physically, emotionally, and economically. Unpredictable catches, harmful fishing practices, and environmental decline increase the hardship for many. Patrols help improve conditions by creating:
– Safer fishing environments, free from destructive gear
– More predictable fish stocks, enabling financial stability
– Stronger community bonds, as members collaborate toward shared goals
– Livelihood improvement, made possible through the sale of biodiversity credits with the
income channeled to community projects
Through training sessions, safety protocols, and the creation of alternative income opportunities tied to conservation, the project strengthens resilience and capacity builds in a changing climate.

Small-scale fishers form the backbone of Vanga’s coastal economy (c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango

The Outcome

The Vanga Seagrass Project demonstrates that when local communities are at the heart of marine protection, both people and nature thrive. Patrolling the 225ha LMMA is more than a conservation activity. It is an investment in human rights, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. It shows what is possible when grassroots action aligns with global goals.

On this World Fisheries Day, we celebrate the courage, commitment, and vision of the Vanga Bay community. Their work is a powerful testament to the idea that sustainable fisheries start with empowered people.

Project Officer Mwinyi patrolling the VSP project areas (c) Vanga Blue Forest CBO

Community-Led Restoration Efforts of SYDA

25/09/2025 by Amber Baker in Conservation

The contents of this blog were written by Omar Jobarteh, pictured right (photo © Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy). Omar is the Assistant Project Manager of the Nnaa Samaa Manklou project, currently under development in The Gambia. Omar has over a decade of experience in community engagement and mobilisation and has recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies.

This blog showcases the impact of community-led grassroots organisations such as SYDA, and to highlight the current impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation in areas such as Sankandi.

“Having seen the mangrove forest and witnessed its degradation, and having the opportunity to restore the area with mangroves, I believe mangroves are a vital part of our ecosystem”- villager from Sankandi

Mangrove forests, with their intricate root systems and remarkable adaptability to saline environments, are vital ecosystems that bridge land and sea, supporting both ecological balance and human livelihoods. In the Sankandi area of The Gambia, located within the Kiang West region along the Gambia River and its tributaries, these forests historically played a critical role in sustaining the local environment and communities. The Sankandi Youth Development Association (SYDA), a grassroots organisation founded to address environmental degradation and empower rural communities, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore these vital ecosystems.

Let’s explore the significance of mangrove forests in Sankandi and Kiang West, the consequences of their loss, the long-term impacts on the community, SYDA’s foundational aims, and the organisation’s successes in community-led ecological restoration.

Aerial footage of the restoration efforts led by SYDA in Sankandi land in the centre of the image, and the complexity of the area and remnant mangroves showing the previous extent, © Samuel Gibson

Mangrove forests in Sankandi and the broader Kiang West region

Mangroves were once extensive, forming a green belt along the Bintang Bolong, a tributary of the Gambia River. These ecosystems were indispensable for both ecological and socio-economic reasons. Ecologically, mangroves served as critical habitats for diverse species, including fish, crabs, and the protected West African manatee, supporting biodiversity and acting as nurseries for fish stocks essential to local fisheries. Their dense root systems stabilised riverbanks, prevented soil erosion, and acted as natural barriers against tidal surges and flooding, protecting agricultural lands from saltwater intrusion.

Socio-economically, mangroves provided essential resources such as firewood for domestic use and materials for construction, sustaining the livelihoods of communities heavily reliant on fishing and agriculture. Culturally, mangroves were woven into the fabric of local life, supporting traditional practices, such as Baamo, and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among residents.

The community of Sankandi, mobilised by SYDA’s vision of restoring the mangroves and their benefits, have been working voluntarily to replant mangrove propagules during the rainy season, almost each year since 2016, © SYDA

Changes Following the Loss of Mangrove Forests

The mangrove forests in Sankandi and Kiang West suffered significant degradation, with over 90% of the forest cover along the Bintang Bolong lost. This was primarily due to a severe drought in the 1970s during the Sahel drought, which increased tidal penetration and soil salinity. Additional pressures, such as the damming of tributaries in the neighbouring Casamance region of Senegal and subsequent fungal attacks, exacerbated the dieback.

The loss of these forests brought profound changes to the region. The decline in fish habitats led to reduced fish catches, threatening the primary livelihood of fishing communities. The scarcity of firewood forced residents to seek alternative, often unsustainable, fuel sources, increasing household burdens, particularly for women. Most critically, the loss of mangroves allowed saltwater to encroach into agricultural lands, causing salinisation that rendered rice fields and other farmlands unproductive, severely impacting food security and economic stability in a region already among the poorest in mainland Africa. These environmental shifts disrupted the delicate balance between the community and its natural resources, leading to economic hardship and ecological imbalance.

Long-Term Impacts on the Community

The loss of mangrove forests has had enduring cultural and practical impacts on the Sankandi community over the years since their decline. Culturally, the degradation of mangroves has weakened the community’s connection to its natural heritage. Traditional practices tied to the mangroves, such as fishing, have diminished, eroding cultural knowledge and communal activities that once reinforced social cohesion. For women, who play a significant role in horticultural activities, the salinisation of farmlands has been particularly devastating.

“Addressing salt intrusion by planting mangroves will enable is to improve rice productivity leading to sustainable livelihoods” – villager from Sankandi

The loss of fertile land has reduced opportunities for growing crops like rice and vegetables, critical for household nutrition and income generation through local markets. This has increased the workload for women, who must now travel farther to access viable farmland or alternative resources, exacerbating gender-specific burdens in an already resource-scarce environment. On a day-to-day basis, the community faces ongoing challenges from reduced fish stocks, limited access to firewood, and increased vulnerability to flooding, which further strains livelihoods and food security.

The impact on culture and fish stocks

Baamo… The cultural practice where fishermen share their catch from the riverside with the community, with every single household benefiting. This was made possible because of the presence of mangroves, which served to attract fish, providing them with a breeding ground. As a result of this, access to fish and other seafood was available to the community. The practice enhanced community cohesion and promoted the spirit of sharing, further uniting the community. This practice highlights the crucial role played by mangroves in enhancing livelihoods. Currently, there are no active fishermen in Sankandi, and the community relies on fish driven from the coast and fishing settlements of Gunjur, Sanyang, Bakau etc. This has made fish almost inaccessible; in the rare event it’s available, most households can’t afford it.

The restored mangroves will bring more than just carbon benefit; they will enable the return of important biodiversity and culture, © SYDA

SYDA’s Foundational Aims and Their Enactment

Founded approximately 20 years ago, the Sankandi Youth Development Association (SYDA) emerged as a community-driven response to these environmental and social challenges. SYDA’s primary aims are to restore the native mangrove forests, empower rural communities—particularly youth and women—and promote sustainable development in alignment with goals such as poverty alleviation, climate action, and the conservation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

To achieve these objectives, SYDA (led by Ansumana Darbo, pictured left, © SYDA) initiated a large-scale mangrove restoration project in 2016, focusing on planting mangrove propagules to recreate a green belt across rural Gambia. Since its inception, SYDA has planted over 200,000 red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) propagules along the Bintang Bolong riverbanks near Sankandi, with ambitions to plant at least 400,000 more propagules to connect mangrove forests across six communities.

Beyond ecological restoration, SYDA has promoted alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on mangrove resources, including beekeeping for honey and wax production, poultry farming, and horticultural initiatives. The organisation has also prioritised capacity-building, offering training in micro-enterprise development and leadership for women and youth, fostering economic resilience and community empowerment. Training programs have equipped community members with skills in project management and sustainable practices, fostering a sense of ownership and long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.

SYDA’s Successes and the Role of Community-Led Efforts in Ecological Restoration

SYDA’s efforts have yielded notable successes, demonstrating the power of community-led initiatives in ecological restoration. The planting of 400,000 mangrove propagules has begun to restore habitats, with early signs of improved fish stocks and reduced soil salinisation, enhancing agricultural productivity.

Community-led efforts, as exemplified by SYDA, are critical to successful ecological restoration. Local knowledge ensures that restoration strategies are tailored to site-specific conditions, increasing their effectiveness. Community participation fosters a sense of responsibility, ensuring sustained maintenance of restored areas. Moreover, engaging women and youth addresses social inequalities, enhancing the socio-economic benefits of restoration projects. By integrating ecological goals with livelihood development, SYDA has created a holistic model that not only revives ecosystems but also uplifts the community, aligning with global sustainable development goals.

“Restoring the area will provide a breeding ground for fish and that will enable the fishermen to go back to fishing to provide us with enough fish for our household consumption” – villager from Sankandi

The mangrove forests of Sankandi and Kiang West were once lifelines for local communities, supporting biodiversity, livelihoods, and cultural practices. Their loss due to drought, damming, and environmental stressors led to severe ecological and socio-economic consequences, particularly for women engaged in horticulture. SYDA’s establishment marked a turning point, with its mission to restore mangroves and empower communities through sustainable initiatives. Over the past two decades, SYDA’s successes in planting mangroves, promoting alternative livelihoods, and fostering community engagement highlight the transformative potential of grassroots efforts. As SYDA continues its work, it serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that community-led restoration can rebuild ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations in the face of environmental challenges.

Established mangroves that were planted by the Sankandi community in 2018 and will generate carbon benefits for many years to come © ACES

SYDA contacted ACES in 2017, asking to partner and replicate the success of Kenya’s Mikoko Pamoja project, initiating Nnaa Samaa Mankolou – Mandinka for ‘Mangroves for Our Future’. This project is currently undergoing certification under the Plan Vivo Standard – the first Plan Vivo project to be developed in The Gambia. It aims to continue the restoration of the mangrove forest and fund community development projects through the sale of carbon credits. SYDA work in close collaboration with the Sankandi Village Development Committee, the entry point for any community development as per the Local Government Act.

The team behind Nnaa Samaa Mankolou is thankful for the support of Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.

You can learn more about this project and high-integrity carbon credits which support community-led mangrove conservation, restoration, and community development projects by contacting ACES at aces@aces-org.uk. To learn more about ACES and the work we do, please contact us and a copy of our Information Pack will be sent to your inbox!

Pioneering the biodiversity crediting market – Vanga Seagrass Project

28/08/2025 by Amelia Allerton in Biodiversity Credits / Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

This blog’s author is Amelia Allerton. Amelia is responsible for the collaborative development of the seagrass biodiversity project and acts as the project’s technical coordinator. She has a background in biodiversity research within Marine Protected Areas and has experience supporting community projects.

Introduction

From community conservation in coastal Kenya to international recognition on the world stage, the Vanga Seagrass Project (VSP) is undergoing a pioneering and world-first journey. The project team, a coalition between ACES, a coastal community and research organisations, are working hard to establish a community-led seagrass conservation project funded through the sale of biodiversity credits. The project’s high-integrity work has led to it being selected as one of the International Advisory Panel for Biodiversity Credits (IAPB) pilot projects. In this blog we will explore what this means for the project and the recognition that VSP has received so far as a pioneer in the marine biodiversity market.

Spotted jellifish (*Mastigias papua*) hangs out above the seagrass in Vanga Bay
(c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango

The Vanga Seagrass Project (VSP)

Vanga Bay is the largest fish landing site in Southern coastal Kenya. The area is economically and culturally important and home to the unique mangrove island, Sii Island. The local communities of Vanga Bay – Vanga, Jimbo and Kiwegu – contacted the ACES in 2018 to replicate the successes of the world’s first community-led blue carbon project, Mikoko Pamoja, located just 50km up the coast from Vanga. The mangrove conservation project, Vanga Blue Forest, covering 460ha of mangrove forest was launched in 2020.

From the inception of Vanga Blue Forest, the communities of Vanga Bay – in collaboration with ACES – have explored various ways of sustainable financing seagrass conservation, including the development of a ‘carbon-plus’ approach. Now, after years of successful mangrove conservation, the launch of Plan Vivo’s PV Nature Standard offers an opportunity to finance community-led seagrass conservation activities through the emerging biodiversity market. As a result, the community-led Vanga Seagrass Project was born, the first of its kind to use biodiversity credits to fund community-led seagrass conservation and protection.

The VSP aims to protect 225ha of seagrass meadows in Vanga Bay, within the East African Marine Ecoregion. Here, seagrass decline is driven by unsustainable fishing practices, predominantly illegal seine netting. The community of Vanga Bay are keen to protect this vital ecosystem and as a result, management interventions centred around gear restrictions and seasonal access for the closure sites have been formulated through a series of community consultations with the local fishing community and key stakeholders. These interventions are aimed at reducing human pressures, providing necessary time for this habitat to sufficiently recover over time. Boat patrols and enforcement of fishery rules and regulations will be implemented to ensure no destructive fishing takes place in the project area.

The project will also help raise awareness for sustainable fishing practices, seagrass conservation and the numerous benefits these fragile habitats offer. Protecting seagrasses enhances its habitat and nursery provisioning, especially for commercially valuable fish. This economically supports livelihoods for many coastal communities and provides other co-benefits such as acting as a carbon sink and improving resilience against climate change and coastal erosion. Adjacent communities will benefit from the protection of seagrasses and associated biodiversity in the bay, that includes increased fish stocks, and healthier ecosystems. The project includes 2,126 households of predominantly fishing communities represented through the Vanga Seagrass Project Committee.

Vanga landing site: Fish catches in Vanga (measured in kg landed) have seen a >30% reduction over the past decade (Fortnam et al., 2021). Vanga Seagrass Project will protect vital nursery grounds for culturally and commercially important fish stocks.
(c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango

The team are working hard to certify the project under Plan Vivo’s new PV Nature Standard. Our choice to align the project with Plan Vivo was a strategic one as they have a high-integrity and community-focused approach to certifying nature finance projects. Plan Vivo has recently developed a holistic and nature-positive approach to biodiversity finance, ensuring that there is accountability, inclusivity, transparency and equitable sharing of benefits during all stages of the project. Plan Vivo stipulates that at least 60% of the project income goes to the local community, enhancing local development and funding key projects selected by the community. For example, the communities participating in Vanga Blue Forest have allocated project income to the building, refurbishment, and furnishing of local schools and madrasas, to equipping the local school laboratory and medical facility (e.g. with maternity beds).

From local impact to global influence, VSP hopes to follow in the footsteps of Vanga Blue Forest who has been featured as a case study in multiple best-practice guidelines and articles. Already, VSP has been selected as one of the IAPB’s pilot projects and the team are actively participating in the Community of Practice.

The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB)

The IAPB is a is an independent initiative established in 2023 by France and the UK to facilitate the creation and growth of high integrity biodiversity credit markets and encourage enabling policy and regulatory mechanisms, in ways that are credible, timely, and coherent on an international level. Since its establishment, the IAPB has continued to evolve and has released clear, impactful market guidance through the IAPB’s Framework. Building on the momentum, the IAPB is currently moving to operate as a fully independent legal entity and will continue to implement ambitious plans to support the high-integrity biodiversity market. These plans include a Policy Lab to support governments with enabling policy and regulation, supporting a Community of Practice to enable shared learning among selected pilot projects and continued work on standards for high-integrity markets.

Pilot Projects

One of the focuses of the IAPB is to have a cohort of pilot projects that are working to operate in the biodiversity credit market. IAPB has brought together an initial set of more than 30 Pilots, which together give a tangible indication of the current state of the market and its development prospects. The pilots will also facilitate knowledge sharing between the wide group of projects around the globe (across 22 countries).

Excitingly, the VSP has been recognised for its high-integrity approach and has been selected as one of the 30 pilots that will collaborate with the IAPB and share learnings with other projects through its development journey in this emerging market. As a pilot project, VSP will provide feedback on applying the high-quality principles and frameworks on the ground and share insights and learnings among the 30 selected projects.

Furthermore, VSP’s work around community engagement, inclusion and local leadership has been recognised by the IAPB and the team were recently invited to present their work in the recent Community of Practice meeting. VSP and ACES were represented by Mwinyi Hassan Mohamed and Amber Baker who delivered an invigorating presentation and participated in a lively panel discussion. The meeting focused on the topic ‘equity and inclusion, particularly of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP and LCs), in biodiversity credit projects and markets, with a focus on benefit sharing and grievance mechanisms.’ VSPs work was well-received and led to some interesting discussions around data equity.

Vanga Seagrass Project committee meeting with ACES and funders in attendance
(c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango

The VSP presenters discussed the need that to maintain high-integrity projects, the use of biodiversity metrics and measurements that are verifiable and can be audited by third parties is deemed essential for robust and verified biodiversity outcomes by the IAPB and the wider market. However, to produce auditable biodiversity data, many projects (including ours as part of the PV Nature Standard) are focusing on digital data collection methods for monitoring biodiversity and calculating credits. However, there are risks to using remote and digital monitoring technologies as it shifts biodiversity data away from local communities and towards remote actors, with potential implications for equity and data justice. The Plan Vivo and VSP teams see this as a very relevant governance consideration for many biodiversity crediting projects as digital data collection becomes more prevalent and are working to develop approaches that are both digital and are accessible to local communities. As a result, VSP is being developed in accordance with the available Biodiversity Credit Alliance High-Level Principles to ensure good governance around data sovereignty. The PV Nature Standard and PV pilot projects are working closely with biodiversity data analytics providers and communities to ensure robust auditing can be conducted whilst also ensuring monitoring methods are accessible to the community and that data ownership remains with the local communities.

The VSP team in action during some biodiversity monitoring trials in conjunction with ACES, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and Edinburgh Napier University
(c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango

Growing interest in high-quality projects

The hard work of the VSP team has not gone unnoticed, as supporting community-led conservation momentum was a key takeaway for many at the 3^rd United Nations Ocean Conference earlier this year. The projects involvement with the IAPB has even received international endorsement from the French President! In his speeches, at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, President Macron praised the work of IAPB’s pilot projects in channelling investment and accelerating the transition to a nature-positive future. This included a reference to the VSP, Where Macron referred to the pilots working in marine ecosystems, including “seagrass meadows in Kenya”. The project is also starting to generate interest among some current carbon credit buyers and philanthropists who already support ACES’ work and are interested in the opportunity to support holistic biodiversity conservation with verified outcomes that also provides wider local benefits.

President Emmauel Macron’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum speech (c) IAPB

In addition to the interest in VSP, wider interest in the biodiversity market as a whole is growing. The World Economic Forum has put extensive effort into defining the business use cases for the emerging biodiversity market. A report on demand analysis and market outlook listed 4 key interrelated ways that biodiversity credits could deliver value for companies, 3 of these use-cases had a marketing focus either through brand reputation, product enhancement and quality assurance. Marketing use-cases are a key focus for businesses as they address the emerging societal expectation for businesses to support global nature recovery by voluntarily contributing to tangible, positive outcomes for nature (TBC, 2022). A key focus for businesses to address consumer expectations and develop a marketing advantage is to support the Nature Positive Movement, of which nature markets are a key tool.

Next steps

The Vanga Seagrass Project is continuing its development journey through key on-the-ground activities and a strong focus on developing robust metrics and data collection methods for marine environments such as seagrass. The team are also working to identify key innovators, pioneers and leaders who wish to support vital community-led biodiversity conservation work that supports the Ocean Positive Movement. If you are interested in discussing high-integrity biodiversity certificates and wish to capitalise on being an early-market entrant and proactively show you value nature, please do reach out for a no-obligation discussion. To receive a copy of our coveted Biodiversity Brochure for Buyers, please do email aces@aces-org.uk and a copy will be sent to your inbox!

Vanga Seagrass Project is thankful for the support of ORRAA and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.

The socio-cultural value of mangroves by Dr Dencer-Brown

10/12/2024 by Amber Baker in Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

The contents of this blog were written by Dr Imi Dencer-Brown and are presented by Amber Baker. Imi is on the ACES Board of Trustees and has studied mangroves and their cultural value in New Zealand as part of her doctoral research. Imi is a mixed methods researcher and lecturer in education working in cross-disciplinary spaces specifically with people and nature.

This blog was written as part of our ‘Conservation’ series which showcases people in conservation and explores upcoming projects and trends.

The socio-cultural value of mangroves – what’s it all about and why is it important?

“When we think of mangrove ecosystem services, we normally relate them to some of the more tangible concepts, such as the provisioning services of food and clean water for both humans and nature. We may also recognise their importance as regulating services, in the roles of flood prevention and protecting against storm damage. As the effects of climate change take their toll on ecosystems worldwide, we understand the plethora of positive attributes these intertidal forests provide, in particular, the enormous below-ground carbon storage capacity of mangroves, in the form of blue carbon.

Lesser known is the socio-cultural value of mangroves. The complexity of human existence and relationships with nature has been little explored in the large body of work of mangrove science, even though it may be pivotal to the deeper recognition of the socio-ecological importance of these ecosystems. Cultural services may include aspects such as cultural identity, sense of home, aesthetic inspiration and a spiritual experience in relation to the natural environment¹. As some of these elements are intangible and complex to explain or quantify, it means that this area of research in relation to mangroves is under-researched and poorly understood.

There is such variation in the location of mangroves globally, which range from the United States such as Louisiana and Florida and the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu in the North, to the most southerly mangrove stands in New Zealand and South Australia. This variation in species and differing levels of degradation mean that humans interact with mangroves in different ways, based on their community needs and societal importance.”

Take New Zealand, for instance…

“Take New Zealand, for instance. Home to a monoculture of estuarine Avicennia marina subsp. australasica. Many of these stands are dwarf mangroves, growing and expanding in harbours and estuaries due to increases in nutrient levels brought about by urbanisation and farming practices. Many people regard these trees as a nuisance, nothing more than weeds, which have obscured the views of the beautiful beaches they had once enjoyed out of their windows.

Their ecological value is not recognised in many cases, making the relationship between humans and nature strained and not positive.”

“Previously, in New Zealand, mangroves were utilised for boat building and recognised as a valuable habitat for kaimoana (seafood) for local iwi (Māori communities).

Whilst some recognition of this may remain, the lack of utilisation and co-existing with mangroves in New Zealand has created a disconnection to nature and with it, a lack of understanding of the intrinsic value of this habitat.”

“Whilst New Zealand might be a very particular case of lack of socio-cultural integration with this ecosystem, many communities in the world do recognise the importance of this habitat to many aspects of human life., however, this has not prevented deforestation and degradation of mangroves globally due to anthropogenic activities such as replacement for aquaculture farms, construction of hotels, urbanisation and overexploitation of wood without sustainable forestry practices.”

Value and monetary value

“We tend to measure the value of goods and services provided by nature in monetary terms, this socio-economic value may be useful in driving forward conservation practices to restore and protect mangroves.”

“Kenyan mangroves are said to be worth around 82 million pounds (200, 473.93 KSH/ha²). Whilst this is an impressive number – what does it actually mean? Where does the money go and how does it benefit local communities? ”

– Dr. Imi Dencer-Brown

“Whilst valuing mangroves as a commodity in this way may influence policy on their conservation, it may not change understanding and awareness of this ecosystem, especially for the local people of the areas who have the closest relationship with mangroves.

In Kenya, the main drivers for loss are the excessive removal of wood for charcoal burning, fishing stakes, fencing and fuelwood, as well as conversion of areas for salt mining and settlement and coastal development. It is recognised in Kenya that poverty, inequalities, lack of education and poor governance have underpinned these losses.³

Communities living close to mangroves and have a high dependency on them for their livelihoods may have a greater cultural connection with these ecosystems and therefore have a high potential to work with conserving mangroves as they directly relate to their livelihoods.

The ongoing success of Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forests projects in Kenya has been largely due to the direct stakeholder engagement with conserving these areas and seeing directly how improving the quality of habitat has a positive effect on livelihoods.

For instance, this may be in the form of increased numbers of juvenile fish using the mangroves as a nursery, which in turn allows for larger fisheries yields offshore, creating more sustainable income for families.”

“Mangroves are a cultural fabric to coastal communities, they support our livelihoods and beliefs, protect our homes and lands, and unite us with bordering communities.”
– Mwanarusi Mwafrica, Previous Project Coordinator for Vanga Blue Forest

“Realising the importance and value that mangroves have for communities and respecting and upholding social justice frameworks to empower these communities to conserve and protect mangroves is a necessary step for the sustainable use of and long-term presence of this precious ecosystem in an evermore volatile world.”

We thank Imi for this blog and their insights on the importance of socio-cultural value of ecosystems, drawing from their experience and research in New Zealand. Like many plants that are often considered weeds or pests – based in Scotland, I am thinking of the humble dandelion – mangroves can be viewed in this negative light but upon further inspection, mangroves and other often overlooked species can provide valuable benefits to people and nature. – Amber

Making biodiversity a credit to your business – Part 2 of 2

28/10/2024 by Amelia Allerton in Biodiversity Credits / Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

This blog was written by our Project officer, Amelia Allerton. Amelia is responsible for the collaborative development of the seagrass biodiversity project and acts as the project’s technical coordinator. She has a background in biodiversity research within Marine Protected Areas and has experience supporting community projects. In this 2-part blog series, we explore the importance of biodiversity, the emerging market of biodiversity credits and the opportunities they provide for both forward-thinking businesses and nature. We hope you enjoy Part 2!

_{Seagrass in Vanga Bay (c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango/ACES}

Welcome to Part 2 of our blog series!

We have covered the biodiversity crisis and how important protecting and restoring nature is to our survival and quality of life. Now let’s explore how businesses can join the Nature Positive movement by investing in nature and our futures.

But how can businesses invest in nature?

An emerging market of biodiversity credits are providing an avenue for businesses to tangibly invest in nature. Biodiversity credits are not offsets, but instead are part of the Nature Positive movement. They are meant for the private sector to voluntarily increase their investment in nature conservation and provide an opportunity for forward-thinking companies and business leaders to get ahead of the curve and prove they value nature and people as well as the bottom line. When looking for biodiversity credits to invest in, it is important to ensure credits are verifiable and Free Prior and Informed Consent was granted from the resident communities within a project region. Organisations such as Plan Vivo review, audit and certify biodiversity credits to ensure that what they offer to the market is a positive product that was sourced fairly, ethically and sustainably. By setting a standard that must be met for projects to sell credits, purchasers can rest assured they are buying a trusted product that protects biodiversity, communities and climate. These credits are often referred to as high-integrity biodiversity credits.

_{Juvenile fish in the seagrass (c) Dimitris Poursanidis/GRID-Arendal}

What are the business benefits to investing in nature?

Investing in biodiversity credits does not have to be a one-sided affair and there are many potential benefits for businesses.

As discussed in Part 1, nature and natural resources directly contribute to the economy and global GDP. By investing in nature, businesses can help develop more stable markets that are not as heavily impacted by the uncertainty of dwindling resources, extreme climatic events or unproductive soils. Showing that your business supports biodiversity conservation and recovery also addresses the growing consensus among consumers that businesses shouldn’t just take from the natural world without giving back. By investing in nature from market inception, businesses can set themselves as industry-leaders. Furthermore, as regulatory frameworks develop and Several countries, including Australia, the UK, and Gabon, are already embracing credits and moving to legislate, by voluntarily involving your business in the market early, companies can prove that their business genuinely and proactively supports biodiversity and are not simply reacting to legislative change.

By investing in biodiversity credits, your business has the opportunity to innovate and solidify itself as a business leader and forward-thinking company. Purchasing these credits provides new marketing opportunities around your businesses support for the Nature Positive Movement. This provides your company with a competitive advantage and improves brand reputation across your business and products. Ethical company behaviour has a positive relationship with increased brand loyalty so biodiversity credits can be an effective way for connecting with consumers. Furthermore, staff retention and talent attraction is also positively associated with companies with strong ethical values and biodiversity credits can be a tangible way to contribute to your company sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

Overall, businesses have a huge opportunity to address the biodiversity crisis for the benefit of the planet, people and business. Not only is supporting nature the right thing to do, but it can set your company apart as a business-leader.

If you would like to know more about biodiversity credits or are interested in supporting any of our projects, please do check out our web pages on our Vanga Seagrass Project and biodiversity credits. You can also reach out to the team at aces-org@aces.co.uk, we would love to hear from you!

_{New shoots in Vanga Blue Forest (c) Anthony Ochieng Onyango/ACES}

Making biodiversity a credit to your business – Part 1 of 2

08/10/2024 by Amelia Allerton in Biodiversity Credits / Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

_{Merops orientalis, Green Bee-eater in The Gambia (c) Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy}

With the IUCN estimating that $600-800billion of funding is needed to sustain biodiversity, biodiversity credits are a new and exciting innovation that could help nature conservation and restoration address this funding gap. However, for biodiversity crediting to be a success, private sector buy-in is essential.

The crisis

Across the globe, plant and animal species are disappearing at an ever-faster rate due to human activity. Habitat loss is the main cause, with humans actively destroying vital habitats through deforestation, urbanisation and intensive farming and fishing practices. Further stressors from hunting, over-fishing, man-made pollution, human-introduced invasive species and the climate crisis further threaten the resilience and recovery of many important species and ecosystems. To put this crisis into context, only 4% of all mammals on earth are wild mammals.

The consequences of losing biodiversity are far-reaching and severe. As much as our human-centric approach has led to us viewing ourselves as separate from nature, we rely on it with every breath, bite of food and resource we use. Air, water, soil, food, and materials are directly reliant on our planet’s natural processes remaining healthy and in-balance. Exploring some of the benefits of healthy and biodiverse ecosystems can really put into context how important it is that we address this crisis:

_{Mangroves at Sii Island (c) Obiene Samson}

Variety is the spice of life

Biodiverse environments support more complex ecosystems, which improves overall resilience. As the number of species and communities grow, there is a higher chance of any one of them having the traits that enable them to adapt to a changing environment. The same is true for resilience against other stressors such as disease and the introduction of pollution into ecosystems. Productive, healthy and biodiverse assemblages are best-placed to try to adapt to changing conditions.

The backbone of big business

Businesses are dependent on nature and the services it provides which are finite and unique. Nature currently contributes to more than half the world’s GDP and not protecting and restoring nature will damage future economic prosperity. After many years of businesses taking resources from the planet without giving back, there is growing consensus among consumers, organisations and regulatory frameworks that the private sector needs to play a part in ensuring we have a healthy, sustainable and biodiverse planet well into the future. For example, at COP15, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was agreed which includes text on the private sector investing in biodiversity. As a result, protecting nature should be high on investors and regulators agendas.

Supporting health and wellbeing

Well-functioning and biodiverse environments support human health by providing nutrition, clean water and medicine. Without pollinators, we will struggle to grow some fruits and vegetables including apples, berries and kale. Biodiverse ecosystems have also played a crucial role in traditional medicines and drug development throughout the years. Ensuring nature is part of our everyday lives is also extremely beneficial for both our mental and physical health. It can help reduce stress, promote improved mood and can help people easily include more physical activity in their lives through activities such as walking and wildlife watching. Biodiversity also plays an important role in disease prevention. By forcing animals to live in closer and closer proximity by removing their habitats and reducing diversity, we have reduced nature’s resilience, increasing the opportunity for diseases to spread. Optimal rates for microbe spillover occur when 40% of the forest cover disappears. In contrast, greater biodiversity reduces disease transmission due to a ‘dilution effect’ making it harder for a single pathogen to spread or dominate.

Nature’s unique value

Biodiversity provides many clear benefits to humans and is essential to our survival, but even despite this, we should still be motivated to protect nature ‘just because’. This planet is absolutely wondrous and full of complicated relationships between plants, animals and ecosystems that all work in harmony to survive and thrive together. We share this planet with intricate creatures who feel pleasure, pain and a desire to survive. Some have strong family bonds or a clear sense of home and some undertake wonderous journeys across the planet that we still can’t fully understand or comprehend. We need to understand how magical biodiversity is and find ways to live peaceably with the natural world. Nature and biodiversity work in harmony to support living thriving ecosystems and we need to find ways to reintegrate ourselves into this glorious and enduring synergy.

Investment in nature and biodiversity is also an investment into ourselves, our economy, our wellbeing and our futures. Follow along for Part 2 to find out how business can help support and restore global biodiversity.

Meet a mangrove champion by Prof. Mark Huxham

22/08/2024 by Amber Baker in Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

The content of this blog was written by Professor Mark Huxham and is presented by Amber Baker. Mark is the founder and chair of ACES and has spent nearly two decades working with local communities dependent on mangrove resources to understand their ecosystems better and to use this science to help restore their environments and bring community development benefits.

This blog was written as part of our ‘Conservation’ series which showcases people in conservation and explores upcoming projects and trends.

Meet a mangrove champion, a conversation between Mark and Ansumana

ACES is a proud partner in Nnaa Saama Mankolou, our new project working with the community of Sankandi in The Gambia to restore their mangrove sites and help support livelihoods and biodiversity in the area.

Mr Ansumana Darboe (pictured left, photo (c) Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy) is a founding member of the Sankandi Youth Development Association, our key in-country collaborator in this project.

He has an infectious passion for conservation and for mangroves and has been instrumental in making the project happen; he first contacted Mark seven years ago, seeking help from ACES, and we have worked together since then. Here, Mark and Ansumana talk about his background, his motivations and his hopes for the future.

Mark: tell me where you were born and a little about your early life

Ansumana: I was born in Sankandi [the village where Ansumana lives still]. My father was a farmer, as was my grandfather. He died in 1984 when I was a little boy. As a child I had to assist my mum in cultivating her rice fields and protecting them from wild animals, like monkeys and birds, until the time of harvest. I had to be at the fields by 7 am. Then when the time comes for lunch the adults sent me to go and collect lunch from home and then bring it back to the rice field for them, because the fields were far from my home.

Mark: and did you combine all this work with going to school?

Ansumana: yes I was enlisted in the school and started my primary education, but at the beginning it was tough because my mum wanted me to go to Arabic school instead of, you know, conventional school. So she did not always support my schooling. In the early years I had to go to school without lunch, and in fact, I did my primary school without a uniform.

Mark: so it sounds as if you were motivated even as a young boy to learn and to develop?

Ansumana: yes I had to struggle. I started as a local volunteer in a medical clinic whilst still at school. That led to opportunities for work and training as a medical assistant. Eventually, I was supported to train as a radiographer and so that was my profession until 2009.

Mark: so how did you become interested in conservation and in mangroves?

Ansumana: back in primary school, in 1994, I was invited to read a poem at the opening ceremony for a new national park [Kiang West National Park]. The poem was about conservation and the need to look after our forests; I learned it by heart and it still serves as a motivation for me.

Mark: how did you start Sankandi Youth Development Association?

Ansumana: in 2005 the president came through our village. I wanted to escort his car to where he was going, but the driver said ‘no no it is too far, we are going five kilometers’. But me and other youths insisted on going all the way on foot with him. When he arrived he was so impressed he gave us some money in thanks. We used that money to found the Youth Association.

© SYDA – Ansumana Darboe – SYDA Project Manager

Mark: and why did you start work on mangroves?

Ansumana: the local fishermen were finding that they could no longer find fish so we decided to look how best we could help them and restore the areas where they fish. So I did some research on mangroves and mangrove restoration in Africa.

Mark: and that is how you found out about ACES?

Ansumana: yes I came across an article that was written by you and then how you spearheaded the Mikoko Pamoja project and then I clicked on your email and thought yeah let me just talk to Mark and see whether we will be in a position for another mangrove project in the Gambia.

Mark: and now after some years we have managed to find funding for this work and are in a position to work together on this new project. What are your hopes for the future from this work together?

Ansumana: Well, my hopes for this project is for it to be modelled and replicated in all parts of the Gambia and let other communities benefit directly from the work they have been doing. And in fact, maybe it can be used by the government to help with their carbon policy.

Mark: and finally, do you have any advice for anybody who may be reading this, who perhaps is in a similar situation to you?

Ansumana: my advice would be for them to reach out because there are experts who will help. You need to make sure that your project will really benefit local people and make sure that you are able to take ownership of your mangrove restoration project.

© Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. Mark and Ansumana (pictured) discussed the partnership and project during the community meeting in January 2024 in Sankandi, The Gambia.

You can find out more about Ansumana, the Sankandi Youth Development Association, and the Nna Saama Mankolou project on the ACES website SYDA’s social media pages.

Philanthropy and climate change: A conversation with Impatience Earth

05/05/2023 by Robyn Shilland in 2023 Blue Carbon series / Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital / Uncategorized

Impatience Earth is a pro-bono climate philanthropy consultancy that educates, challenges and inspires wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency.

We interviewed Yasmin Ahammad, the Co-Managing Director of Impatience Earth to gather her insights on climate philanthropy and understand what influences donors when they are considering which projects to fund.

Here’s what Yasmin had to say…

1. What motivates philanthropists and foundations to fund projects that tackle climate change?

The public’s awareness of the climate crisis has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to the tireless efforts of climate activists and the growing coverage of alarming IPCC research findings. As heat waves scorch entire cities and floods devastate communities, the reality of climate change hits closer to home more than ever before. Urgency has become the driving force for philanthropic donors to invest in the fight against climate change, and their support is crucial to creating the change and momentum we need.

At Impatience Earth, donors typically approach us with a keen understanding that the climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time. They recognize that the impact of climate change will undo many of the gains made in other areas such as health, education, conservation, social justice, and human rights. These individuals, foundations, and companies feel a collective responsibility to act while there is still time to avoid the worst climate scenarios. They may support climate change as a new strand of their grant-making or incorporate it as a lens through which they view their existing projects.

“We have seen a particular interest in mangrove and other blue carbon projects like seagrass and saltmarshes, because it is easy to understand the numerous co-benefits of investing in such nature-based solutions.”

Why philanthropy and what inspires philanthropists right now?

Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to act because it can provide the seed capital for bold and innovative movements, ideas, and initiatives to experiment, scale, and thrive. Unlike government or corporate institutions, philanthropy can afford to take risks and fund projects flexibly and nimbly, filling critical gaps in support.

We have seen a particular interest in mangrove and other blue carbon projects like seagrass and saltmarshes, because it is easy to understand the numerous co-benefits of investing in such nature-based solutions. Donors focused on reducing carbon emissions are attracted by the carbon sequestration potential of mangroves and seagrasses, while those who are passionate about biodiversity are motivated to protect and restore coastal ecosystems for the benefit of marine species. Donors with a focus on building community resilience find mangroves appealing as a natural barrier to disastrous storm surges and coastal erosion, and as a source of livelihood opportunities through eco-tourism, healthy fisheries and potential access to carbon markets.

“We have seen a particular interest in mangrove and other blue carbon projects like seagrass and saltmarshes, because it is easy to understand the numerous co-benefits of investing in such nature-based solutions. Climate justice, land rights, youth, and women’s rights are popular cross cutting concerns, while policy, capacity building and conservation are key approaches.”

Aside from blue carbon approaches, we see a lot of appetite amongst our clients to learn about other carbon sinks such as peatlands and forests, followed by agriculture and food systems as a whole. Climate justice, land rights, youth, and women’s rights are popular cross cutting concerns, while policy, capacity building and conservation are key approaches.

2. What influences philanthropists’ / foundations’ decision making when assessing quality of projects in terms of how they gauge climate impact, but also co-benefits?

Each donor is different in how they assess which organisations or projects to fund, and how stringently they set the criteria. But generally speaking, they share a few common questions that help them assess the quality of a project:

How well does it align with our philanthropic mission and values?

If climate justice is a core value of the donor, for instance, they will assess the project based on whether it advances climate justice by putting more power and resources into the hands of those most affected by the climate crisis. Similarly, if they care deeply about biodiversity, they will want to make sure that the project is led by experts who can advise on planting the right trees in the right way to benefit the local ecosystem.

What is the impact of the intervention?

Donors will consider the project’s potential to create positive environmental and social outcomes, depending on their core concerns, whether that be reduction in carbon emissions, or the extent to which communities have ownership and gain benefit from the project. Some donors like hard metrics to demonstrate the impact of the project, such as total carbon sequestered over time, number of trees planted, number of jobs created, or the percentage change in community attitudes towards mangrove restoration. While these example metrics are useful, we try to educate donors that impact measures are best defined by the project leads and communities themselves, so that they are monitoring and reporting what is most useful and important to them.

What is the sustainability of the project?

Philanthropists will consider whether all the conditions are in place to ensure that the mangroves will be thriving and delivering their benefits long after they have stopped funding the project. This includes having the right tree species and planting methods, community buy-in through education and alternative livelihood opportunities, and a clear plan for ongoing funding, whether through donations or income.

What is the track record of the organisation?

Donors will look closely at the organisation or individuals leading the project to assess their expertise and capacity to successfully implement the project. They might do this by reviewing impact reports, holding short interviews with the project leads, or reaching out to other funders for references.

3. Following on from the above: what information can practitioners make available, and in what format, to better showcase their projects and help this decision-making?

In the process of making a decision, clear communication materials are essential. Donors usually start by checking out a website before they even consider asking for a proposal. That is why it’s a good idea to include compelling materials that showcase the impact of your work.

Telling captivating stories and providing clear impact metrics are crucial to demonstrating the project’s effectiveness and track record. It’s also important to include financial information, such as the organisation’s annual budget, so that donors can determine whether their usual grant size is too much for the organisation to handle or whether they are better set to make a small contribution to a larger pool of resources. It’s also important to highlight the individuals who are behind the project, their skills and backgrounds, and to make their contact information publicly available so that donors know who they can reach out to with any questions.

If and when invited for a proposal, then pay close attention to the guidelines, especially on the maximum pages they would like. I’ve learned that philanthropists and small foundations typically have very little time to make a number of complex decisions, so the easier you can make this process by being succinct and clear, the better.

4. Moving away from philanthropists and to Impatience Earth – who are you, and what services do you provide?

“We see ourselves as climate knowledge and relationship brokers – helping donors access the incredible array of climate expertise of practitioners, activists, and academics to help make sense of the climate emergency in a way that resonates with them.”

We are a small team of advisors with backgrounds in climate change, biodiversity, international development, social justice, philanthropy and entrepreneurship. We are incredibly passionate about what we do, and how we see our work contributing towards a much more equitable world for everybody. We set out in 2020 to increase the amount of philanthropic capital being directed to climate change, but we also want to see funding going to actors who have been traditionally overlooked and underfunded, and to help shift philanthropy towards a more trust-based approach and in support of climate justice.

We see ourselves as climate knowledge and relationship brokers – helping donors access the incredible array of climate expertise of practitioners, activists, and academics to help make sense of the climate emergency in a way that resonates with them, and then move forward on acting on climate with confidence by helping them develop strategies, and connecting them to co-funders and potential grantees.

The learning journey is a central component of our work, which is a bespoke series of intimate sessions with experts where they can dive deep into a subject area and ask lots of questions. We’ve found that learning is critical; clients who want to skip the learning and go straight to recommendations on who to fund don’t seem to end up committing to climate in the long-term.

5. What are the most common questions that you are asked? Have any common themes emerged that you think need to be better answered/communicated by practitioners?

The most common question we hear is “where can we best make an impact?”

In the climate emergency, there is no straightforward answer to this question, because it is a complex global systemic crisis. Unfortunately this is where a lot of potential donors to climate change get stuck, because it seems so overwhelming, when in fact there are so many ideas, initiatives and approaches in need of funding that will collectively deliver the change we need.

We help each client craft an answer to this question that makes most sense to them through learning and reflection. There are a number of factors that will influence the answer, such as what values are core to the foundation, where they are drawn to funding geographically, where they think change comes from (e.g. top-town, bottom-up, or both), and which sectors and approaches resonate most with what they have supported so far and want to focus on in future.

For practitioners seeking funding, it is important, unsurprisingly, to help funders clearly understand how their grants will make a difference. This stems from you understanding the broader change you are working towards in the climate context and beyond, whether it’s building long term community resilience, strengthening local biodiversity or building the movement for climate justice. While it’s important to outline the how (activities) and the why (the problem statement) to demonstrate your capabilities in planning a project, it is the outcomes that will inspire donors to invest in you and help them realise their own impact.

You can find out more about Impatience Earth and their work on their website.

Not all offsets are created equal

01/03/2023 by Robyn Shilland in Conservation / Financing / Natural Capital

Not all offsets are created equal: what are “high quality carbon offsets”?

Our clients sometimes ask us what the difference is between carbon credits that they can buy for $5 a tonne, and those that cost $10, $50 or even more per tonne. Why pay more for the same outcome – a tonne of carbon sequestered?

Like all other products and services, carbon credits can vary widely in their quality. But what does this mean, and how can you tell a “high quality” offset from the rest?

Whether you pay $5 or $25 for a carbon offset, the outcome (for you) is the same: you can claim that you have offset that amount of your carbon footprint. However, there is much more to the process than this “behind the scenes” – including who benefits from the project interventions, what safeguards are put in place to ensure that local people are not disadvantaged, and how longevity of the carbon storage is ensured.

Any certified project – and we encourage buyers to look for certification when offsetting – must meet the requirements of carbon standards that set out how projects should operate, including calculating the carbon captured, how the community should be engaged, and how socio-economic factors should be considered. This means, on paper at least, that high standards are maintained. The principles and values vary between standards; for example, the Plan Vivo Standard places particular emphasis on the socio-economic development of less-developed nations and allows for flexibility in project design that enhances accessibility for small projects.

Certification is not failsafe, however: certified projects have been criticised on the grounds of human rights breaches, failing to ensure long-term carbon storage, and providing no carbon benefit beyond what would have occurred anyway. These criticisms are more common in the compliance carbon market than the voluntary market that we are part of (see here for an explanation of the two and their differences), however as project developers and carbon buyers, we need to ensure that these failures are not perpetuated in the projects that we run and choose to support.

So, what should buyers look for in a project?

Projects should be able to demonstrate how they engage with, involve and benefit the local community, and be able to provide evidence of this. Community consultations are a start, but are local people given opportunities to work for and govern projects? Does the project deliver financial, infrastructure or other tangible benefits for local people? How does the project monitor and act on adverse impacts on the community such as reduced access to timber? What power does the community have in decision-making? Community involvement is vital to project sustainability – carbon projects are often sited in developing nations where natural resource reliance is high, and if the needs of the community are not met the project risks alienating, disadvantaging or even displacing people, or failing altogether.

Carbon offsets are generally expected to be “permanent” to at least 100 years – that is, carbon that is stored should be locked away for at least a century. Of course, we cannot guarantee this; no one can truly say what will happen in 100 years’ time. ‘Permanence’, as it is known, is assessed on a number of factors including how the project addresses drivers of degradation and potential “exit strategies” for if and when the project comes to an end. Buyers should look for meaningful action by project developers to ensure that the stored carbon won’t be at risk as soon as the project ends. Does the project enhance environmental education? Are local people empowered to manage their local resources? Does the project address the core reasons for the loss of carbon, such as poverty that drives people to cut timber for firewood? While we cannot guarantee the future, actions such as these improve the chance that damaging activities won’t just return to normal at the end of the project.

Carbon is of course the core feature of an offset, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Projects can deliver community development benefits such as funding education or providing water, enhancing biodiversity, or helping local people to develop more diverse livelihoods to ease the pressure on natural resources and provide jobs to local people.

We encourage buyers to explore projects Project Design Documents (or PDDs) – these should be available through the standard to which a project is certified and contain detailed information on how a project is structured and operates. Ask to speak to those in charge of the projects (at ACES, we are always happy to have a conversation with buyers and prospective buyers, whether you’re looking to buy 1 tonne or 1,000 tonnes). Developers should be transparent about their projects, including on how money is spent – some projects are worth paying a higher price for, but you should be confident that if you choose this option, your money is being spent well.

Critics of offsetting point to examples of bad practice in carbon trading projects as reason to avoid offsetting altogether. The carbon trading world is not immune to misguided or even malevolent practices that have resulted in miscarriages of justice for people or for the climate, and project developers and carbon standards should and do learn from these to prevent them from pervading in the industry. Carbon buyers should be aware of the diverse perspectives on offsetting, but also should be able to make informed decisions at a project level when considering offsetting so that they can support valuable projects that deliver not only carbon reductions, but broader benefits for people, wildlife and the environment.

Scaling community-led conservation to national climate action

05/08/2021 by Robyn Shilland in Conservation / Government / Uncategorized

Our Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forest projects have delivered climate, biodiversity and community benefits to two coastal communities on the Kenyan coast. They have demonstrated at a small, ’boutique’ scale how climate action can not only tackle the threat of the climate emergency, but how it can do so whilst delivering benefits to local people, engaging local people in environmental governance and demonstrating how local livelihoods can be secured whilst managing the use of natural resources.

Whilst these projects deliver community benefits locally and make a contribution to fighting the climate crisis, much larger-scale action is needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5-2°C in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This is where Nationally-Determined Contributions, or NDCs, come in. They are commitments made every 5 years by nations who are signatory to the Paris Agreement to contribute to the global effort to limit temperature rise. In the case of blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass and saltmarsh, these can include commitments to protect and restore these carbon-rich habitats to prevent the loss of, and encourage further sequestration of, atmospheric carbon.

But when we scale blue carbon conservation like this, how do we ensure that community livelihoods are not overlooked in favour of carbon benefit? It is easy to make commitments on paper to halt the loss of these ecosystems, but how can we implement this in a way that involves local people and takes account of their needs, particularly when coastal communities rely on natural resources like timber for income and sustenance?

Our team have been part of an international research team investigating these questions and making recommendations for Kenya, and other nations, to commit to and implement socially-just blue carbon conservation and restoration.

As part of this work, we worked alongside the team developing Kenya’s 2020 NDC submission to ensure that blue carbon ecosystems were not only included in the submission, but included in a way which puts the needs of coastal communities at the heart of their management. More detail about how we achieved this can be found here. Now that Kenya’s 2020 NDC submission is finalised, we have produced a policy brief for Kenyan coastal and marine stakeholders with an interest in blue carbon management, summarising the blue carbon element of the NDC submission and what this will mean for government agencies, public bodies, NGOs and other stakeholders. This policy brief can be downloaded here.

National-level conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems will not come without challenges. However by learning from projects such as Mikoko Pamoja, Vanga Blue Forest and other community-led initiatives, and by working together across government, community groups, research institutions and NGOs to understand and promote best practice, we can move towards a more sustainable future in which the needs of people are secured alongside ambitious climate action.

Category: Conservation