April 15, 2024 | Agri-Harvest, Taiwan |
In response to Taiwan's 2050 net-zero emissions policy, methods for sequestering carbon in seagrass beds and mangroves were submitted for review by the Ministry of Agriculture in March. Led by National Chung Hsing University's Professor Lin Hsin-chu, the project aims to capitalize on blue carbon's ability to sequester carbon dioxide, estimating an annual contribution of around 350,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents.
In addition, mangroves and seagrass beds serve as habitats and nurseries for various species. The Penghu Marine Center has been devoted to seagrass bed restoration for years, planning to collaborate with communities to develop carbon credit trading schemes, fostering community development. Looking ahead, Dr. Lin emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon measurement costs, establishing carbon offset trading demonstration sites for seagrass beds and mangroves, and incorporating them into the national greenhouse gas inventory.
Blue carbon, encompassing mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marsh ecosystems, offers significant carbon sequestration potential. Dr. Lin's team's research indicates that mangroves can sequester about 2.5 times more carbon than forests, while seagrass beds and salt marshes contribute 1.5 times more.