Project Description
The ‘Income for Coastal Communities for Mangrove Protection’ project is a regional initiative designed to promote sustainable mangrove conservation by linking environmental protection with income generation for coastal communities. Mangroves offer significant benefits—from wood and non-wood products to essential climate regulation through carbon storage—yet their degradation negatively impacts fish stocks and local livelihoods. Recognizing that carbon credit schemes often fall short for smaller mangrove areas, this project aims to provide an alternative, lower-cost financing mechanism that enables conservation and rehabilitation of mangroves in Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Objectives, Activities and Results
The project’s main objective is to create a low-cost investment platform that bundles mangrove conservation, carbon emissions reduction, and community development in a format appealing to donors, REDD+ agencies, and CSR-driven companies. By compensating fishing communities for conservation efforts, the initiative reduces pressure on fish stocks while enabling alternative livelihoods. ICEM’s Nick Beresnev coordinates technical input across participating countries. Activities include developing valuation models, testing bundled investment approaches, and creating community financing strategies that facilitate mangrove protection and promote inclusive, sustainable coastal development.
Click here to access the project page (Mangroves for the Future)
