Blue carbon projects are often designed with a single financing pathway in mind: carbon markets. In reality, many successful projects rely on a combination of market and non-market approaches, sequenced over time and adapted to local, legal, and institutional contexts. This webinar will explore the full spectrum of financing options available to blue carbon projects, including voluntary carbon markets, emerging biodiversity credits, grants, public finance, results-based payments, and blended finance models. Speakers will unpack when carbon markets make sense, when they don’t, and how non-market approaches can play a critical role in de-risking early stages or supporting long-term sustainability. 

The discussion will help participants:

- Understand the difference between market-based and non-market financing approaches for blue carbon
- Identify which financing options align with different project stages (early feasibility, implementation, long-term management)
- Explore how projects can sequence and combine multiple funding sources over time. Recognize common misconceptions around “carbon as the only viable option.”
- Learn from real-world examples where non-market finance has been essential to project success