Research and development in conservation financing
Financial flows for marine conservation are currently insufficient in view of the environmental crisis and established international targets. New mechanisms and solutions need to be explored to finance the conservation of ecosystems that are crucial to slow down the loss of biodiversity, mitigate climate change and ensure the resilience of coastal communities.
BlueSeeds has studied the potential for financing declining blue carbon ecosystems such as mangrove forests in West Africa and Posidonia seagrass in the Mediterranean. We develop operational and replicable financing solutions that coastal communities can implement to improve their impact at local level.
West African Mangrove (WAM)
Designing an ethical blue carbon project for mangrove conservation by and for local communities
BlueSeeds works with NGOs and communities in the Cacheu region of Guinea-Bissau, empowering them to sell carbon credits generated by their activities for the conservation of mangroves.
We have fully developed the carbon methodology for this project, and planned its implementation within an ethical framework of governance, redistribution and reinvestment of profits. BlueSeeds aims to create a new dynamic for future blue carbon projects in the region.
We are initiating a new socio-economic and financial approach to marine conservation, which takes it away from a "project-based" financing perspective to make it sustainable.
BlueOasis
Rethinking the mooring zone as an effective tool for conservation and economic dynamism
In 2022, BlueSeeds designed a methodology to measure the ecological and economic value of carbon captured by Posidonia meadows protected thanks to eco-moorings. The results show that the financing of these infrastructures will not be viable solely through the carbon credits they generate.
We explored the possibility of co-financing eco-moorings and considered the future of mooring zones. We designed BlueOasis, an innovative mooring zone that goes beyond its role of protecting marine habitats, optimising it as a tool creating value for local communities.
Our R&D activities give rise to projects with a lasting impact that can easily be replicated on a large scale.
Mediterranean Posidonia Network
Explore opportunities for financing the protection of Posidonia meadows, the lungs of the Mediterranean
BlueSeeds is the finance expert on the Mediterranean Posidonia Network taskforce, which brings together Mediterranean organisations working to improve the ability of Mediterranean countries to better protect Posidonia oceanica meadows and prevent their degradation.
We play an active role in the network’s coordination and activities, sharing our expertise on subjects related to finance and funding mechanisms to improve the protection and management of seagrass meadows.
Video: AFB
