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Knowledge center

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Expertise and guidance for Blue Natural Capital projects

In collaboration with experts and partners, we work to improve the understanding of the concepts and components underlying Blue Natural Capital implementation and blended sustainable finance. We generate knowledge products to support the broader conservation and finance communities with valuable lessons from our work on BNC.

The Knowledge Centre offers tools, case studies, and insights to support the development and implementation of sustainable blue natural capital projects. Whether you’re a project developer, investor, or policymaker, find valuable information to drive impactful climate resilience and biodiversity solutions.

Blue Bonds: Financing the Resilience of Coastal Ecosystems

Presents key concepts and offers approaches to define a place for blue bonds within the field of sustainable finance.

BNC+ Framework

Describes the approach that should be taken to determine and measure positive impacts while managing risks in the development and monitoring of BNC projects.

BNC Positive Impacts Management System

Provides a management system for the assessment, monitoring and reporting of investment impact for BNC projects.

Multilateral Development Bank Engagement

Explores the efforts by Multilateral Development Banks to transform their coastal infrastructure portfolios by strengthening Nature-based Solutions.

Investments in Coastal NbS: Opportunities for National and Local Governments

Addresses legal and regulatory challenges and explores solutions to enabling private financing of Coastal NbS.

Blue Infrastructure Finance series

Infrastructure is key to economic and social development yet often has negative environmental impacts. Coastal and marine life is in particular at risk of being damaged. Nature-based Solutions anchored in and serving habitats like mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs, can help to make infrastructure investments better, more resilient and more financially attractive. This report explores the need, opportunity and means required to integrate Nature-based Solutions into coastal resilience planning and investments.

Towards sustainable blue infrastructure finance

The need, opportunity and means to integrate Nature-based Solutions into coastal resilience planning and investments

Blue Infrastructure Finance

A new approach, integrating Nature-based Solutions for coastal resilience

BNCFF Blue Prints Series

Through the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF) we have developed eight Blue Prints providing examples on how to integrate Blue Natural Capital (BNC) restoration and conservation into sustainable business models. The aim of the Blue Prints is to inspire and foster opportunities for scaling-up and replicating BNC projects globally.

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MPAs under collaborative management contracts

Details how collaborative management – partnerships that create a more “bankable” structure around MPAs – can help create a viable business and investment model.

Sustainable shrimp farming and mangrove restoration

Explores how sustainable shrimp farming, with the help of a private sector partner, can increase harvest and prices, while becoming more stable and resilient.

Mangrove conservation as a carbon asset

Explores ways to convert peat and mangrove forests from selective logging to conserved habitat using a blue carbon revenue model.

Waste and energy infrastructure linked to mangrove restoration

Details how an integrated waste to bioenergy supply project can help solve waste problems, generate energy and reduce deforestation and foster tourism.

Sustainable seaweed company

Explores how sustainable seaweed farming – implemented as a Nature-based Solution – can be complimentary to marine conservation efforts and provide revenue for local communities.

Climate resilient seaweed cultivation

Explores how to deliver improved seaweed farming that has conservation benefits through the conservation of marine habitats and through the de facto enforcement of a local MPA.

Waste management and mangrove protection

Details how ecosystems can be restored by removing waste for recycling and controlled discharge through local waste-picker cooperatives and plastic credits.

Nature based, tourism-funded MPA management

Details how a mix of statutory entrance fees, innovative eco-tourism services and blue carbon credits can help manage and protect an MPA.

BNCFF Impact Reports Series

Since its launch in 2018, the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF) has supported a wide variety of marine and coastal conservation projects with a high climate impact on their path to becoming sustainable, climate-resilient Blue Natural Capital (BNC) businesses that are appealing to private investors. This shift from traditional, grant-funded projects to income-generating businesses is crucial. It removes the barriers and time limitations of conventional funding, allowing the company to become self-sustainable, providing more stability, and offering the opportunity for a significant impact on ocean conservatio

Through our series of Impact Reports, we are showcasing how BNCFF support has helped projects on this journey.nities for scaling-up and replicating BNC projects globally.

Coast4C, Philippines

Coast4C are working to improve conditions of the Danajon Bank reef system and the people dependent on it. With BNCFF support, they grew sustainable seaweed activities and set up the necessary legal entities required to secure further private sector investment.

TASA, Althelia & Blue Finance, Belize

Amongst other things, BNCFF provided funding to cover crucial capital expenditures allowing the project to develop high-end tourism products, for which they can charge fees and thereby generate funds to protect and conserve the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.

Blueyou, Indonesia

BNCFF supported Blueyou’s work to triple income for local farmers through introducing a more sustainable shrimp farming model, which not only attracts a higher price in the global market, but also helps conserve and protect mangroves locally.

Blue Finance, Philippines

In Oriental Mindoro, Blue Finance are working to create financial stability for a network of nine Marine Protected Areas, by creating solid income streams and thereby an appealing investment opportunity. BNCFF support helped remove some barriers to investment.

Forest Carbon, Indonesia

Forest Carbon are looking to restore key mangrove forests and create job opportunities through the implementation of a Blue Carbon credit scheme. BNCFF helped fund a feasibility study, which is an important first step towards attracting investment for the project.

Wildlife Conservation Society & KMFRI, Kenya

This project is working to restore seagrasses through the sale of Blue Carbon credits. With BNCFF support, new sites for seagrass, as well as the carbon stocks and sequestration potential were assessed. A key first step towards carbon certification.

Terra Global, United Republic of Tanzania (Zanzibar)

BNCFF helped revitalise this project, which aims to protect 68 Community Forest Management Areas and improve local livelihoods through the sale of Blue Carbon credits. Investment Readiness Requirements were built with the aim to secure investors.

EcoBenin, Benin

With the help of BNCFF, EcoBenin have completed multiple key assessments required to obtain carbon certification. Through the sale of Blue Carbon credits, this project aims to protect mangrove ecosystems and help improve the standard of living for the local population.

EcoAct, Cameroon

EcoAct are looking to restore and conserve mangroves through selling Blue Carbon credits. BNCFF funded work towards a Project Design Document, which is crucial for obtaining carbon certification and therefore attracting future private sector investment.

BlueMX Mangrove, Mexico

This project is working to increase and retain carbon sequestration in mangroves. With the support of BNCFF, BlueMX Mangrove were able to collect samples and analyse the carbon stock, which is key to proving the viability of the project and progressing towards project implementation.

Bioenergia Foundation & Bioénergie Haiti, Haiti

BNCFF supported the implementation of the first phase of a mangrove rehabilitation programme, which, amongst other things, aims to clean polluted coastlines and establish mangrove nurseries in an area with the lowest rate of municipal waste collection in the world.

Calls for Proposals

There are no open calls for proposals. Sign up for email alerts to be notified of the next call and receive updates on BNCFF and BCAF projects, lessons learned, and more, or email us at bluenaturalcapital@iucn.org.

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