Executive Summary

Myanmar currently hosts several mangrove and nature-based carbon credit projects on the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), with seven mangrove projects and two other nature-based projects registered under Verra's standards. However, the Country lacks specific national requirements or a regulatory framework for authorizing projects to participate in the VCM. Despite this, the Forestry Law mandates that any development or economic activity on forest land, including nature-based carbon credit projects, requires authorization from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.
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Myanmar does not require benefit-sharing agreements or a national carbon registry. Still, it recognizes the importance of community participation through the Community Forestry guidelines and the Forestry Law, which aim to ensure equitable distribution of benefits. The government also requires informed consent from local communities in ethnic areas and integrates Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) into the national safeguards for REDD+ projects. However, there is no national requirement for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) processes for nature-based carbon projects.
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Land tenure and carbon rights in Myanmar are defined by the state, which owns all land and natural resources, including mangroves. Although the government permits land leases for carbon credit projects to private entities, the National Land Use Policy (2016) does not specify lease durations. Community-based initiatives can also engage in carbon credit projects through Community Forestry agreements, which require a management plan and certification from the Forest Department. Notably, there is no clear definition of carbon rights in mangrove forests, and the mechanisms for securing, transferring, or revoking these rights remain undefined, with carbon rights typically secured through memorandums of understanding, leases, and concessions.
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Overall, Myanmar has ambiguous enabling conditions for blue carbon projects. While the Country has made strides with community engagement and the registration of nature based carbon credit projects, the absence of clear regulatory frameworks, such as those for carbon rights, MRV systems, and benefit-sharing mechanisms, presents significant challenges. Establishing clear policies and frameworks in these areas could enhance the credibility and attractiveness of Myanmar's blue carbon market, encouraging further investment and sustainable development.

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