The Blue Carbon Cost Tool—understanding market potential and investment requirements for high-quality coastal wetland projects
Blue carbon ecosystems—mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses—store large amounts of carbon and provide vital ecological benefits, yet their loss increases global emissions. To support restoration and market investment, researchers developed the Blue Carbon Cost Tool, which compares carbon credit potential, project costs and qualitative feasibility. Simulations across nine countries show how ecosystem type, location and scale drive variability, and highlight the need for local data. The tool helps developers and investors assess opportunities and resource needs for high‑quality blue carbon projects.
Subject Tags
- Blue carbon
- Mangroves
- Climate mitigation
Abstract
Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses, are important for climate mitigation. As carbon sinks, they often exhibit higher per hectare carbon storage capacity and sequestration rates than terrestrial systems. These ecosystems provide additional benefits, including enhancing water quality, sustaining biodiversity and maintaining coastal resilience to climate change impacts. The widespread loss of blue carbon ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities can contribute to increasing carbon emissions globally. Monetizing blue carbon through carbon credits offers an avenue to generate revenue and incentivize conservation and restoration efforts. However, limited data on project costs and carbon benefits make prioritization of blue carbon projects challenging. To address these challenges, we have developed, in collaboration with blue carbon experts, the Blue Carbon Cost Tool. This is a user-friendly interface enabling comparison of three core market project components—1) carbon credit estimation, 2) project cost estimation and 3) a qualitative, non-economic feasibility assessment—to assess and compare potential for blue carbon projects. Tool simulations with data available from nine countries demonstrate (a) how factors such as country, ecosystem type and project scale drive variability, (b) the need for local or project-specific data to enhance accuracy and reduce uncertainty, particularly in tidal marsh and seagrass systems, and (c) that higher price tolerance or upfront capital is needed to bridge implementation and maintenance cost gaps. The Blue Carbon Cost Tool can aid project developers and investors to better understand market opportunity and the resources needed to develop high quality blue carbon market projects.
Citation
Simpson, S., Smart, L. S., Landis, E., Van Laere, S., Kibria, A. S., Albot, O., ... & Spalding, M. (2025). The Blue Carbon Cost Tool–understanding market potential and investment requirements for high-quality coastal wetland projects. Frontiers in Marine Science, 12, 1622255. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1622255
TNC Authors
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Stefanie Simpson
Climate Resilience Senior Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Email: stefanie.simpson@tnc.org -
Lindsey S. Smart
Adaptation and Resilience Scientist
The Nature Conservancy
Email: lindsey.smart@tnc.org -
Emily Landis
Global Climate Adaptation & Resilience Director
The Nature Conservancy
Email: elandis@tnc.org -
Stephanie Van Laere
The Nature Conservancy
TNC Authors
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Olya Albot
Nature Based Solutions Project Manager, New Zealand
The Nature Conservancy
Email: olya.albot@tnc.org -
Robert McDonald
Lead Scientist for Nature-based Solutions, Europe
The Nature Conservancy
Email: rob_mcdonald@tnc.org -
Mark Spalding
Senior Marine Scientist
The Nature Conservancy
Email: mspalding@tnc.org