Government plans to count 'blue carbon' towards climate targets

Posted: 18 Nov 2024

The government wants blue carbon counted towards the country's efforts to slow climate change.

Its final Emissions Reduction Plan for 2026-2030, due in December, is expected to mention the potential to harness the ocean, including using seagrasses, mangroves and other marine species as carbon sinks.

The draft version of the plan earlier this year highlighted the role of "alternative" sinks such as blue carbon as a potential boost to climate efforts beyond the most popular way of sucking in carbon produced by cars, trucks, factories, and farming - planting trees.

But counting blue carbon could cut both ways.

Read more on RNZ.