Restoring Seaweed and Seagrass for Climate and Economic Benefits
Across Japan, initiatives are underway to restore seaweed and seagrass populations, aiming to combat climate change and generate economic benefits. These efforts involve capturing and absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) in these aquatic plants, offering a valuable alternative to traditional carbon offsetting methods.
A Framework for Blue Carbon Credits
A framework for trading blue carbon credits has been established in Japan, recognizing the CO2 absorbed by oceanic ecosystems. These credits, similar to green carbon credits for forests, can be bought and sold by businesses seeking to offset their carbon footprints.
The Japan Blue Economy (JBE) Association has been instrumental in certifying blue carbon projects and issuing credits since 2020. These credits, called J Blue Credits, are based on the amount of CO2 absorbed by the restored seaweed and seagrass beds.
Success Story in Mashike, Hokkaido
A notable example of blue carbon restoration is the Mashike project in Hokkaido, where the Mashike fisheries cooperative association partnered with Nippon Steel Corp. to rebuild the local seaweed population. Iron slag from the steelmaker's production process was buried in coastal areas, providing iron for the growth of konbu kelp.
The results have been impressive. The area of the konbu colony increased fivefold, and the sea urchin catch jumped by 1.8 times. This success has inspired similar initiatives in over 50 locations across Japan.
Challenges and Opportunities
While blue carbon initiatives hold great promise, there are challenges to overcome. The international community lacks standardized methods for measuring and evaluating blue carbon, making it difficult to compare projects and establish global criteria.
Japan is taking a leading role in addressing these challenges. The government has proposed a technique to estimate seaweed colony size using satellite images and other data, and has developed methods for calculating CO2 absorption by different types of seaweed and seagrass.
In April 2024, Japan plans to become the first nation to present details of its blue carbon absorption to the United Nations, paving the way for global standards and recognition of this valuable climate solution.
Conclusion
Japan's blue carbon initiatives demonstrate the potential of seaweed and seagrass restoration for mitigating climate change and generating economic benefits. By addressing the challenges of measurement and evaluation, Japan is poised to lead the way in establishing global standards for blue carbon, paving the way for wider adoption of this promising climate solution.