Carbon offsetting and trading is a confusing space that is constantly evolving, especially when it comes to carbon credits produced by restoration or conservation of coastal ecosystems.
At Fair Carbon, we are regularly asked to explain different elements of how carbon markets work, from what a "carbon credit" is, through how they are produced and traded, and why some sell for higher prices than others.
This basic guide to understanding the process is based on the questions we are most frequently asked. It can be read in order, or the reader can skip ahead to sections which interest them most. It includes an overview of carbon credits, carbon standards, blue carbon, the challenges associated with mangrove blue carbon projects, and considerations for international carbon trading.
For NGOs or other organisations new to this space and interested in learning how to produce carbon credits themselves, we recommend reading this section in full before registering for our modular guides to accreditation.
Module 0: Introductory Course for Blue Carbon Projects
Introduction to Mangrove Ecosystems
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- What are mangroves?
- What ecosystem services do they provide?
- Why are the important for climate change mitigation and adaptation?
- State of the World's Mangroves Report
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Greenhouse Gases, Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Storage
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- What is carbon sequestration and storage?
- What are the different types of greenhouse gases?
- What are the key considerations for blue carbon projects?
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Introduction to Carbon Offsetting
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- What is a carbon credit?
- What are the carbon markets?
- Are carbon markets regulated?
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Introduction to Blue Carbon and the Colours of Carbon
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- What is blue carbon?
- What are the blue carbon ecosystems?
- Which blue carbon ecosystems can produce carbon credits?
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Implementing Mangrove Carbon Projects: Key Considerations
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- The importance of taking a holistic approach
- Additionality and other technical requirements
- Key issues for project development
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Nationally Determined Contributions and Article 6 Explained
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- What are Article 6 and NDCs?
- How does Article 6 impact carbon projects?
- Which countries mention blue carbon in their NDCs?
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Additional Open-Access Articles
Conservation vs Restoration Activities for Blue Carbon Projects
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- What is a conservation?
- What is restoration?
- What are the key differences?
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Improved Management Activities in Blue Carbon Projects
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- What is improved forestry management?
- What is agricultural land management?
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Introduction to REDD+ Forest Conservation
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- What is REDD+?
- What are the different types of REDD+ management?
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- In-depth overview of Fair Carbon's modules
- Guidance and tools developed for each modules
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REGISTER HERE FOR ACCESS TO OUR MANGROVE MODULES
Additional Resources
Map of Existing Blue Carbon Projects
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- How many Blue Carbon projects are there, and where?
- Links to project websites and credit retailers
- View technical documents and registry entries
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(Beta) Map of Enabling Policy Conditions for Blue Carbon
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- Which countries have an enabling policy environment for project development?
- Which policies and agencies are relevant for blue carbon projects?
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- Which countries include blue carbon or mangroves in their NDCs?
- What is the relative level of blue carbon commitments in NDCs worldwide?
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- Which countries include blue carbon or mangroves in their NDCs?
- What is the relative level of blue carbon commitments in NDCs worldwide?
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(Beta) Mangrove Biodiversity Tool
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- What types of mangrove biodiversity exist in tropical countries?
- Which species are threatened or endangered?
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