Project general info

Bengal Blue Carbon Initiatives: Mangrove Afforestation for Protecting Coastal Areas and Sequestration of Green House Gas (Article 6: G2G)

Location

The chars and island areas adjacent to the Bay of Bengal

Project Goal

The overall objective of the project is to promote sustainable development and establish a resilient coastal greenbelt through large-scale coastal afforestation, contributing to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) sequestration. The specific objectives of the project are to: (i) Enhance carbon sequestration capacity; (ii) Restore and stabilize newly accreted coastal lands; (iii) Conserve and strengthen mangrove and aquatic ecosystems; (iv) Protect biodiversity and rehabilitate endangered or locally extinct species; (v) Reduce coastal disaster risks and enhance climate resilience; (vi) Create sustainable livelihood and development opportunities for coastal communities; and (vii) Generate and trade verified carbon credits in international markets.

Project Description

Mangrove afforestation along the coastline of Bangladesh provides an invaluable nature-based solution for safeguarding coastal communities and livelihoods against cyclones, storm surges, and tsunamis. Beyond their protective function, mangroves play a crucial role in climate change mitigation by sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Their carbon absorption and storage capacity far exceeds that of most terrestrial forests, making them essential in combating climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

The project has been designed and is being implemented in close collaboration with the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), aligning with the long-term climate and environmental vision of the Government of Bangladesh.

The project comprises four key components:

1. Afforestation: Establishment and restoration of mangrove forests in coastal and newly accreted lands.

2. Community Development: Enhancing the livelihoods and resilience of local coastal communities through participatory management.

3. Monitoring: Implementing robust systems for growth assessment, carbon measurement, and ecosystem health monitoring.

4. Carbon Credit Sales: Generating, certifying, and trading verified carbon credits in international markets to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Project ID

Project ID: TBD

1

Idea Generation & Pre-Feasibility

Idea Generation & Pre Feasibility to Depelop Project Information Notes (PIN)

2

Project Idea Note (PIN) Development

Project Idea Note (PIN) Development and Finalization

3

PIN Submitted to the GoB

PIN Submitted to the GoB to Obtaint Letter of Intend (LoI)

4

LoI issued by GoB

LoI issued by GoB to Implement the Project

5

Investor Pitching

Investor Pitching to Obtain Required Investment

6

Project Document (PD) Development

Bengal Blue Carbon Initiatives: Mangrove Afforestation for Protecting Coastal Areas and Sequestration of Green House Gas (Article 6: G2G) Pipeline

New projects

Feasibility study

Project design

Project validation

Project implementation

Periodic verification

Project completion

The project's impact

The project will generate a range of tangible benefits for local communities as well as for the environment.

Community Benefits

Short-term: Employment opportunities through mangrove tree planting, maintenance, and nursery activities, providing immediate income support.
Medium-term: Additional earnings from income-generating trees such as multipurpose species planted under the project.
Long-term: Sustainable revenue through profit-sharing mechanisms and the sale of high-value carbon credits in international markets.
Market Linkages: Strengthened connections with local and national markets to ensure fair prices for forest and non-timber products, thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of participating households.

Environmental Benefits

Enhanced Biodiversity: Increased habitat diversity will encourage the return of wildlife and aquatic species, with biodiversity indicators tracked throughout project implementation.
Improved Microclimate: Mangrove vegetation will help regulate local temperature and humidity, contributing to overall ecosystem stability.
Soil and Water Conservation: Root systems of mangroves will prevent soil erosion, reduce sedimentation, and mitigate the impacts of flash floods and storm surges.
Carbon Sequestration: Mangrove afforestation will serve as a powerful carbon sink, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions and support global climate change mitigation efforts.
Ecosystem Services: Restoration of mangrove forests will enhance fisheries productivity, provide breeding grounds for wildlife, and increase the recreational and aesthetic value of coastal zones.

Mangrove Blue Carbon

Mangrove Afforestation

Green Belt

Coastal Afforestation

Ble Carbon

Carbon Sequestration

Safeguarding Coastal Communities

Sustainable Lovelihood

Climate Resilience

Carbon Benefits

Where the project is located

The chars and island areas adjacent to the Bay of Bengal

About this region

The chars and island areas adjacent to the Bay of Bengal present exceptionally high potential for mangrove-based carbon projects due to rapid land accretion and their high exposure to climatic hazards. These emerging landforms, such as those in Bhola and the Noakhali belt, are dynamic and highly vulnerable to erosion and cyclonic events. Strategic afforestation in these areas not only enhances risk reduction and shoreline stabilization but also creates significant new carbon sinks.

Blue-carbon ecosystems, particularly mangroves, offer distinct advantages. They store substantial quantities of soil organic carbon and accumulate biomass at a much faster rate than most terrestrial forests. In fact, mangrove ecosystems can sequester up to ten times more carbon than typical upland forests, making them a critical component in climate change mitigation strategies.

Bengal Blue Carbon Initiatives: Mangrove Afforestation for Protecting Coastal Areas and Sequestration of Green House Gas (Article 6: G2G)