Coastal blue carbon ecosystems in NDCs
Conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, specifically tidal salt marshes, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests, are excellent examples of nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. These coastal ecosystems sequester and store huge amounts of carbon from our atmosphere, and are often referred to as blue carbon ecosystems.
![content hero image](/sites/default/files/content/images/2016/tnc_53860080_preview_cropped.jpg)
Photo: © TNC/ Ethan Daniels
![Coastal blue carbon ecosystems](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait___book_cover/public/inline_media/bc_ndcs_final.jpg?itok=KUMvKbKl)
This brief outlines how Parties have included and addressed the management of coastal wetland (blue carbon) ecosystems in their NDC climate mitigation and adaptation solutions to date. It also offers a short outlook on areas where coastal wetlands contributions can be improved and strengthened in the future, allowing for more ambitious future NDC submissions. In many coastal nations these ecosystems provide a significant mitigation and adaptation value, both as a carbon sink and as coastline protection and food security, respectively. Thus, the inclusion of coastal ecosystems can be considered an important asset in a more ambitious revision of the NDC for many Parties.
This brief is accompanied by a Supplement document which outlines the NDCs in all detail.