Blue carbon credits: a lot of promises but even more uncertainties for the Global South

Sustainable science, socio-environmental justice and equity will determine the co-benefits necessary for the credibility, acceptability and effectiveness of blue carbon credits. Bringing together a team of researchers from various disciplines and regions of the world, we reflect on our experience of mangrove ecosystems and the influence of carbon markets on the evolution of mangroves to produce policy recommendations. The blue carbon market must not distract policy-makers from the goal of urgent and massive emission reductions in the Global North, and must be demonstrated to be equitable and inclusive in and with the Global South and useful to effectively sequester and store carbon everywhere. For this to happen, blue carbon finance strategies must be co-designed with all stakeholders, with a particular attention to the most vulnerable people in the Global South. More globally, an integrated approach addressing carbon storage but also adaptation capacities, biodiversity conservation and benefits for the communities is to be preferred.