Being a Carbon Project Developer in the IORA Blue Carbon Hub under the ECOP 2024 Fellowship

By Josphat Nguu

Introduction

My name is Josphat Nguu, a marine ecologist in the Blue Carbon Department at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute. I’ve had the privilege to delve into diverse ecosystems and comprehend their intricate interconnections. This journey has ignited a profound passion for studying mangroves, seagrass, corals, fisheries, and the human aspect of the ocean ecosystem. My research has often bridged the gap between ecosystems and communities, fostering a deep interest in marine community projects, particularly blue carbon projects. I’ve been involved in developing six carbon offset projects, four in Kenya, one in Tanzania, and another in DR Congo, with the aspiration of making a significant global impact.

The trajectory of blue carbon projects, has seen a significant surge. However, although both seagrass and mangrove projects exist, mangrove projects dominate with 44 projects, and only 4 seagrass projects. This raises a crucial question: why are there so few seagrass projects when this ecosystem holds similar potential to mangroves?

Recognizing the scarcity of seagrass projects, I embraced the chance to join the IORA Blue Carbon Hub fellowship in 2024. This transformative experience, shared with five esteemed colleagues from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, was a pivotal moment in my career. My focus was on advancing the development of seagrass blue carbon projects by creating a Site Selection Criteria Matrix. This was a significant step, as my literature search revealed a lack of a comprehensive guide for developers or communities on optimal site selection during establishment of a seagrass carbon project.

In the first week of the fellowship program, I tried to understand how carbon project site selection differs from the process for selecting Marine Protected Areas. Although both occur in marine areas, a MPA typically encompasses a larger area and accounts for multiple ecosystems (mangroves, seagrass, and corals) and tends to focus on pristine areas with high biodiversity value. In contrast, carbon projects usually consist of a single ecosystem (e.g. seagrass) and focus on degraded areas. This contrast could differ among places and projects, so further comparisons would help clarify these differences or similarities.

As I delved into the practicality of seagrass site selection, I realised the crucial importance of the project feasibility phase before site selection. Therefore, I developed a flowchart to help highlight what needs to be considered during project planning and site selection. This helps guide project developers or researchers when setting the stage for a carbon project, regardless of whether it is a seagrass or a mangrove forest. A series of YES/ NO questions, with each step progressing in order of complexity and details while refining the decision about a project’s viability. At the end of this process, a clear decision can be made if the project meets a set of criteria that would underpin feasibility.

Once the feasibility of a seagrass blue carbon project is established, a site selection phase can follow. I identified and arranged the different factors that characterize seagrass ecosystems in a hierarchy, ensuring that the criteria can be adapted to the unique features of each potential seagrass carbon offset site.

A subsequent phase should involve field testing, with individuals working in seagrass and communities proposing to initiate a carbon offset project. Building on my experiences with mangrove carbon offset projects, I am committed to further research and development in blue carbon projects. I am confident that we can successfully expand into seagrass with the proper procedure, which I hope to contribute by publishing this criteria matrix.

IORA ECOP 2024 experience

In the ECOP program mentorship, the first week is about getting to know the colleagues, developing a workplan schedule, and linking with the internal mentors. The course supervisor, Dr. Mat, took us through our project’s objectives, realigning, framing, and timeline management and booked an individual weekly follow-up meeting to check on progress and discuss the trajectories of personal projects. For my project, “Developing Criteria Matrix for the Seagrass Carbon Offset Project,” we brainstormed how to approach the project to fit both technical and non-technical audiences. We deconstructed the differences and similarities in Marine Protected Area and carbon offset project site selection. I examined how different studies report on seagrass habitat and how the few existing seagrass carbon projects (Japan, France, Kenya) selected the sites. I developed a draft report, which we discussed, and I had to substantiate my thoughts; he always gave me a different perspective that synchronized perfectly with my laid-out thoughts. At the same time, Lauren organised a weekly catchup where we would present our progress as a team and get feedback. This also shapes our flow of thoughts. I enjoyed visits to different Western Australia coastal biomes, and even days off at Rottnest Island and a wildlife park.

In week six, I sent the draft criteria matrix to eternal reviewers for comments. Positive comments were made about the matrix’s potential to advance the development of seagrass carbon projects. During week seven, I had an opportunity to present the matrix to Edith Cowen University’s blue carbon group.

At the same time as the ECOP program, Kenya pioneered a seagrass carbon project which will be one of the world’s first accredited seagrass biodiversity projects and will provide a sustainable model for community-led protection. While Kenya plans to update its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) in 2025, I will offer support on the seagrass carbon offset capacity building and mainstreaming the Kenya Climate Change (Carbon Markets) Regulations 2024 framework for implementing carbon projects in Kenya. More braodly, I have initiated conversations on how to disseminate the matrix and adapt it to local or regional settings, especially in the Western Indian Ocean Region.

Sharing Knowledge with local communities

In the meantime, back home in Kenya, I am working with local communities to disseminate and expand the matrix. The aim is to make the process easier to understand and comprehend and, where possible, use local languages to facilitate project development steps suited to local settings.

Reflecting on my eight weeks in Perth for the IORA ECOP fellowship, I have deepened my understanding of blue carbon projects and what it takes to choose a potential site for a seagrass carbon project. This has further strengthened my passion for working with ecosystems and communities in marine conservation.