Blue Carbon Mrv

The UK DEFRA–IDB Blue Carbon Regional MRV Project, executed by the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (StACIE), is building the first harmonized system to monitor, report, and verify (MRV) the impacts of mangrove restoration across Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, and Suriname. Launched in October 2024, the 18-month initiative strengthens efforts to restore degraded mangroves—ecosystems that store carbon, buffer coastlines, and sustain communities. Each country faces unique pressures, from erosion to land-use change. This project helps partners not only restore mangroves, but also rigorously track outcomes over time. By combining traditional field science with innovative tools such as terrestrial laser scanning, satellite imagery, and soil and biomass analysis, the MRV system will provide a transparent, science-based platform for monitoring mangrove carbon. The project is structured around three core components: 1. Standardized MRV System — establishing shared methods to monitor carbon stocks, compare results across sites, and ensure methodological consistency. Capacity Building — strengthening national project teams, training local partners, and generating technical publications. Knowledge & Dissemination — creating a regional data platform, fostering a community of practice, and sharing lessons across countries. Why does this matter? Donors need evidence of climate impact. Scientists need robust, comparable data. Policymakers need reliable inputs for national climate strategies. Communities need assurance that restored ecosystems will endure. And the wider climate finance system requires verified results that can unlock carbon crediting and scale future projects. By the end of its mandate in March 2026, the project will leave behind not only data and reports, but also a stronger regional network of expertand institutions. Together, these advances will ensure that mangrove restoration in the region is measurable, credible and sustainable.