The ROPME Policy Brief on Blue Carbon in the ROPME Sea Area highlights the critical role of marine and coastal ecosystems in climate change mitigation. Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored in ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, which are highly efficient at sequestering carbon dioxide and storing it over long periods. These ecosystems also provide essential services, including coastal protection and food security.
Despite their importance, blue carbon ecosystems are under increasing threat from degradation, coastal development, and environmental pressures. Damage to these systems reduces their capacity to store carbon and may lead to the release of previously stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
The brief identifies the main blue carbon ecosystems in the ROPME region, including seagrasses (the most widespread), salt marshes, and mangroves (the most efficient in carbon storage), as well as coastal sabkhas and microbial mats, which exhibit high carbon density despite limited research data.
ROPME has conducted the first regional assessment of the distribution and carbon storage capacity of these ecosystems, producing a regional blue carbon map based on national, regional, and global datasets. However, uncertainties remain due to data gaps in some areas.
While the overall contribution of these ecosystems to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is relatively small compared to total emissions, their conservation is essential to prevent carbon release and to maintain multiple ecological and socio-economic benefits. These include supporting biodiversity, providing habitats for marine species, and protecting coastlines from erosion and extreme weather events.
The policy brief calls for the development and implementation of effective management strategies to protect, restore, and expand blue carbon ecosystems, alongside strengthening research and policy frameworks. These efforts are aligned with ROPME’s Regional Action Plan on Marine Climate Change and support member states in meeting their commitments under international climate agreements.
