Enhancing Blue Carbon Sequestration in the Caribbean through Sustainable Blue Economy Initiatives

The Caribbean’s coastal ecosystems—mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs—serve as critical blue carbon sinks, providing coastal protection, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to climate resilience through carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems face ongoing pressures from coastal development, pollution, and climate-induced stress. The BluEFin Project, in partnership with OECS and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), seeks to address these challenges by fostering sustainable blue economy practices and mobilizing new financial resources for marine and coastal conservation.

This initiative could focus on specific technical areas, such as mangrove conservation and restoration, leveraging innovative tools like satellite imaging to assess and monitor carbon sequestration in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Given the unique scale and ecological challenges faced by SIDS, exploring scalable approaches to ecosystem management through innovation could provide valuable insights and drive policy alignment. Although demonstration projects are currently limited, we aim to present conceptual frameworks and preliminary ideas, particularly around satellite-based monitoring of carbon stocks in mangroves, which have potential application for enhanced conservation and financing efforts.

Through strengthened private sector engagement and the establishment of regionally adapted financial mechanisms, BluEFin supports OECS member states in balancing ecological health with sustainable economic growth. We propose to share early findings and outline policy recommendations to help align MSP training and regional forums with 30x30 goals and CBF’s conservation finance initiatives. This initiative underscores the integration of environmental sustainability into economic frameworks, ensuring the longevity of coastal resources and building resilience against climate impacts.