The OECC supports mangrove restoration and conservation by using our knowledge on carbon credits
Mangrove forests are important coastal ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics in which diverse services are generated such as resources, disaster prevention, and tourism. Although these forests have been logged for many years to build shrimp farms and to obtain construction materials and firewood, efforts to restore and conserve mangrove ecosystems have been on the rise, recognizing their high biodiversity and ability to efficiently absorb CO2. There are also new projects aiming to create carbon credits from the CO2 absorbed by mangrove ecosystems to finance its restoration and conservation.
The OECC has long been involved in formulating Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) projects, carbon credit research and information dissemination. Utilizing this wealth of experience, expertise and networks, the OECC supports Japanese companies and other organizations who wish to conserve and restore mangrove forests using methods such as carbon credits.
The OECC conducted a survey on a mangrove plantation project in the Philippines during FY2022-2023 as part of the Forestry Agency’s project aiming to utilize the Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM) for forest conservation and afforestation projects in developing countries. The survey was conducted on the planting project by Kanepackage Co., Ltd. in the Visayas Islands, Philippines, which was implemented in 2009 as its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity. In order to examine the possibility of creating JCM credits from this planting activity, the OECC estimated the amount of CO2 absorbed by the mangroves with consideration of appropriate monitoring methods, etc.
The OECC Mangrove Team consists of several research specialists in various fields including Watanabe who has extensive knowledge of carbon credits, Dr Kuze, who has abundant experience in research in tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia, and Dr Thomas, who is a specialist in mangrove population genetics.
We welcome inquiries from companies and NGOs that have been involved in mangrove restoration and conservation as part of its social contribution efforts. If you are interested in taking up the challenge, please contact the OECC Mangrove Team.
Maki Thomas et al. (2022) “Extremely Stochastic Connectivity of Island Mangroves”, Frontiers in Marine Science: Vol. 9 – 2022, DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.827590
