Developing a framework for co-creating blue carbon policy in southeast Asia

Blue carbon ecosystems in southeast Asia present substantial opportunities for both carbon market development and biodiversity conservation. Recognizing this potential, countries throughout this region have initiated coastal restoration projects with blue carbon conservation objectives. However, continued uncertainties in the natural science foundation, slow political mobilization, and notable community hesitancy and exclusion often constrain the benefits of these efforts, leading to land-use conflicts, social inequalities, and missed opportunities for local development. In the SCOPE project, we address these challenges, particularly focusing on Cambodia and Vietnam whilst maintaining a wider southeast Asia perspective. By evaluating emerging blue carbon financing mechanisms, restoration effort outcomes, agent relationships, and the policy implications of these initiatives we elucidate the top-down standpoint. Through community engagement across demographics, we reveal the ‘grassroots’ perception and implementation of blue carbon policy and conservation at the local level. Integrating these perspectives allows us to assess the opportunities and challenges of blue carbon policy. Working together, we aim to co-create actionable steps for a sustainable blue carbon management plan with community acceptance. Our multi-actor approach helps to harmonize local and national priorities, providing a framework for future blue carbon policies that foster social inclusion, environmental resilience, and economic viability across southeast Asia.