Counting (on) blue carbon—Challenges and ways forward for carbon accounting of ecosystem-based carbon removal in marine environments

Abstract

The latest IPCC assessment report highlights once more the need for negative emissions via carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures to reach ambitious mitigation goals. In particular ecosystem-based CDR measures are currently the focus of national net-zero strategies and novel carbon crediting efforts. Blue carbon dioxide removal (blueCDR) options are anthropogenic activities that aim to enhance such ecosystem-based carbon sinks in the marine environment. The protection and conservation of existing marine ecosystems that naturally sequester carbon, does not qualify as CDR. Using blueCDR as an example, we highlight key challenges concerning the monitoring and evaluation of marine carbon fluxes for carbon crediting. Challenges specific to ecosystem-based CDR measures are i) the definition of baseline natural carbon fluxes, which is necessary for ii) clear anthropogenic CDR signal attribution, as well as iii) accounting for possible natural or anthropogenic disturbances of the carbon stock and hence an assessment for the durability of the carbon storage. In addition, the marine environment poses further monitoring and evaluation challenges due to i) temporal and spatial decoupling of the carbon capturing and sequestration processes, combined with ii) signal dilution due to high ecosystem connectivity, and iii) large pre-existing carbon stocks which makes any human-made increase in carbon stocks even harder to quantify. To increase the scientific rigour and ensure additionality behind issued carbon credits, we support the current trend of focusing monitoring efforts on carbon sequestration rather than on capturing processes, and on establishing a baseline for natural carbon sequestration in diverse marine ecosystems. Finally, we believe that making carbon credits subject to dynamic adjustments over time, will increase their credibility.