Protecting mangrove forests to reduce carbon emissions in Mexico

Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most productive ecosystems, absorbing up to four times more carbon dioxide than upland terrestrial forests. Coastal development, climate change, pollution and agriculture are contributing to a loss of mangrove forests at around four times the rate of overall global deforestation.

An ERM team in Mexico City is working with Ecologists without Borders (EcoWB) to develop a strategy for mangrove conservation in the 113,000 hectare Marismas Nacionales in the North West Pacific coast of Mexico. The ERM team has produced a biophysical and social assessment to guide the conservation strategy, and is advising on options to obtain carbon credits. We will continue to work with EcoWB in the year ahead to support the implementation of the strategy.