BLUE carbon ecosystems — mangroves, seagrasses and coastal wetlands — are again gaining increased importance in the Philippines’ national climate agenda, as seen in the official turnover of the National Blue Carbon Action Plan (NBCAP) road map by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Philippines to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on March 26.
The road map sets the long-term direction for harnessing blue carbon ecosystems to strengthen the country’s biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and climate resilience. The handover took place during the final day of the inaugural Philippine Mangrove Conference in Quezon City held on March 24-26.
DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said blue carbon ecosystems “stand as some of the country’s most powerful yet often overlooked climate solutions.”
The Philippines is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most ecologically significant blue carbon ecosystems with about 327,000 hectares of mangroves alongside seagrass beds and tidal marshes. These protect coastlines, sustain livelihoods and store vast amounts of carbon. However, once degraded, they release stored greenhouse gases and threaten the biodiversity that depends on them.
Rebuelta-Teh said that the road map “will serve as a guide for scaling action, institutionalizing blue carbon in our national systems and ensuring that our efforts translate into tangible benefits to coastal communities.”
DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau Assistant Director Mariglo Laririt said the path forward will begin with convening the Leadership Steering Committee and Technical Working Group in April. The NBCAP Structure and Roadmap will then be formalized through a policy instrument, either a DENR administrative order or an executive order.
Meanwhile, a workplan will be developed in parallel with early actions already under way to sustain momentum.
Germaine De Ruña, ZSL Philippines NBCAP project manager, stressed the leadership structure’s importance, with the DENR serving as chair to ensure that blue carbon is anchored in national policy.
Technical working groups on the key strategic areas of Policy and Governance, Finance and Social Economic Impact, Science and Technology Innovation, and Communications and Community Engagement are essential, she said. “They ensure that the road map is comprehensive, evidence-based and actionable.”
An interactive platform
The road map provides tools for partners, policymakers, local governments, researchers and communities that will help them make evidence-based decisions.
Through the interactive platform Blue Carbon Ecosystems Explorer, users can access key data sets on mangroves, seagrass, tidal marshes and restoration areas. It can provide insights on blue carbon ecosystems across national, provincial or site specific levels. Furthermore, it allows users to instantly view key statistics and pinpoint where mangrove restoration can make the greatest impact.
Mapping technology is crucial as it captures the full blue carbon system, including seagrass and coral reefs. “This turns data into clear priorities for protection and restoration. Mapping is the backbone that connects science, policy, finance and people. No map, no scale, no impact,” De Ruña said.
Another key component of the road map is the Blue Carbon Quantification Protocol (BCQP). Developed by Filipino blue carbon scientists and practitioners, the BCQP provides a standardized, scientifically rigorous framework for measuring, reporting and verifying carbon sequestration in coastal systems.
“The BCQP guides project design and implementation, helping to align local actions with national and international climate commitments, and ultimately ensuring the NBCAP delivers measurable, environmental, social and economic benefits,” De Ruña explained.
On the policy and legislative front, the road map seeks to align with emerging national carbon policies, advance local initiatives such as coastal greenbelts, and contribute to broader efforts under the proposed Blue Economy bill. Its goal is to strengthen legal protections, guide restoration, and support carbon financing and community participation.
The road map, De Ruña said, is “a commitment to action and a collective vision” that will constantly evolve as partners, collaborators and community work together to harness blue carbon ecosystems to achieve climate resilience.
De Ruña stressed that people and the community remain at the heart of the road map. “Listening directly to people in the coastal areas — those who are most vulnerable to climate impact — ensures that the road map reflects real experiences, local knowledge, and practical strategies for mangrove restoration and coastal protection.”
ZSL Philippines Country Director Edwina Garchitorena admitted that while challenges persist, “we have the tools. We have the map. We have the way. What matters now is that we move together, and we follow through.”