Analysis of selected Blue Carbon projects in the voluntary carbon market : opportunities and risks of current carbon crediting methodologies : interim report / by Dr. Tim Jennerjahn (ZMT, Bremen), Felix Fallasch, Anne Siemons, Nora Wissner, Sophia Lauer, Judith Reise, Victoria Liste, Leon Janas (Öko-Institut e.V., Berlin) ; on behalf of the German Environment Agency ; report performed by: Öko-Institut e.V. ; edited by: Fachgebiet V 2.6 - Klimaschutzprojekte - Nationale Zustimmungsstelle UNFCCC - Katja Voß (Fachbegleitung)

Abstract

This report examines the risks and opportunities of using carbon crediting mechanisms to fund the protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems. It evaluates seven projects registered in the voluntary carbon market, focusing on key challenges related to integrity risks such as additionality, quantification, permanence, safeguards, and double counting. Despite uncertainties in measurement methods, the report highlights that projects tend to adopt conservative estimates of carbon removals. Aimed at stakeholders in carbon crediting programmes, policymakers, and researchers, it emphasizes the need for improved data collection and peer-to-peer learning to enhance project outcomes.