Summary/Abstract
This database, accompanied by a blog, explores how blue carbon is framed in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under three categories: (1) mitigation, (2) adaptation, (3) both mitigation and adaptation. We analyzed 141 parties’ NDCs to identify whether blue carbon is framed as a mitigation or adaptation strategy, if they discussed blue carbon at all. We were unable to review the NDCs submitted by 53 parties as they were not published in English. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that around 151 countries have at least one blue carbon ecosystem (BCE), with 71 countries possessing all three types. Forty two jurisdictions acknowledge the importance of blue carbon as a climate mitigation and adaptation strategy in their NDCs. Out of this, 12 countries identified BCEs as solely a mitigation strategy, 8 identified them under adaptation strategies, and 22 identified them as both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Countries are expected to unveil updates to their NDCs by early 2025 and are urged to include the significance of BCEs in these updates.