The government of Vanuatu for the first time has launched a Blue Carbon Research Report as part of the three days retreat for the members of the National Advisory Board on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAB) at the Crystal Blue Resort last week. The report explores the opportunities that recognizing Blue Carbon could bring to Vanuatu.
This report represents the first scoping and feasibility study by the Commonwealth Secretariat of the potential blue carbon opportunity in a commonwealth country and in this case Vanuatu.
According to the report, the government of Vanuatu is among the first in the world to seriously examine the role and potential of blue carbon at a national level.
Dr. Julian Roberts from the Commonwealth Secretariat made a brief overview on the key points of the Report to the NAB members as part of the launching.
According to Dr. Roberts, the Report highlighted the realization of the potential management of Coastal Carbon Sinks in the country. This means Vanuatu has a great potential in Blue Carbon if recognising the opportunity its value can hold for all our communities.
“The report highlighted the opportunities, supportive arguments and issues and potential barriers around incorporating blue carbon as part of the government’s overall climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy.”
Dr. Roberts stated that there are three objectives of the report; to undertake a baseline study of the position of Vanuatu with regard to blue carbon, to assess feasibility of a blue carbon project for Vanuatu and should such a project be considered feasible, to make recommendations on how to progressively realize that opportunity.
From the analysis and overall conclusion of the study conducted in Vanuatu, the report pointed out 12 major recommendations that focus on a suite of blue carbon activities. These recommendations are centered on the inclusion of blue carbon into necessary legislations and policy frameworks and the need to align with other countries on the same initiatives.
Various government experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Environment, Department of Lands, the NAB, the Blue Carbon Project Team and community members in the island of Malekula were consulted during the field visit to Vanuatu between 3rd to 12th February 2013.
Copies of the Research Report can be obtained from the Program Management Unit at the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department in Port Vila.