Guiding principles for delivering coastal wetland carbon projects

Abstract

With the growing awareness of the role of coastal wetlands in climate change mitigation and adaptation, there are an expanding number project and policy interventions being developed and implemented to conserve and restore these ecosystems. There is a need to share lessons in best practice as activities grow into new territory of large-scale interventions. This guidance document distils best practice principles for coastal wetland carbon projects, drawing on a long history of project development and implementation in fields of wetlands restoration, terrestrial carbon projects, carbon policy and community engagement. The primary focus is on experience gained in the management of intertidal wetlands, including tidal marshes and mangroves, although many broad lessons can be extended to seagrass meadows. This document is not a manual outlining a stepby- step guide to building or enacting a coastal carbon intervention, as each project will have their own nuances that would challenge such guidance. Here, we provide the overarching fundamental principles for framing coastal wetland carbon projects and avoiding missteps.