Imagine the ocean as a giant sponge that soaks up carbon from the air to cool the planet. In the freezing polar regions, this sponge is changing because of melting ice and warming waters. This work maps out how much carbon these cold-water ecosystems actually store and whether fishing in these areas releases that carbon back into the air.
Current carbon accounting for polar oceans is weak and uncertain. This makes it difficult for governments and industries to accurately measure carbon sequestration or the environmental cost of harvesting marine biomass.
A method to quantify the trade-off between biomass harvesting and carbon sequestration called the Biomass-Sequestration amplification factor, and a blue carbon accounting system for polar ecosystems.
If you are a carbon credit verifier dealing with inaccurate blue carbon estimates in high latitudes — this project developed a Biomass-Sequestration amplification factor that provides a rigorous means of quantifying net carbon sequestration.
If you are an industrial fisheries operator dealing with new environmental regulations on carbon footprints — this project developed a method to evaluate the trade-offs between harvesting marine biomass and its carbon sequestration role.
If you are a policy advisor dealing with Nationally Determined Contribution estimates — this project developed a fit-for-purpose blue carbon accounting system to map and compare carbon stocks in emerging polar environments.
Based on available project data, there is no pricing or cost information provided for the tools or methodologies.
The project focuses on providing a rigorous means of quantifying carbon stocks and trade-offs for use in international assessments and policy-making, which can be scaled for national accounting.
Based on available project data, specific IP or licensing terms are not mentioned; the project aims for effective exploitation through scientific assessments and policy-makers.
The project provides recommendations for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem services, specifically targeting Nationally Determined Contribution estimates for governmental bodies.
The project period runs from 2024-02-01 to 2028-01-31.
The consortium is heavily research-oriented, consisting of 12 partners from 8 countries. It is composed of 5 universities and 5 research organizations, with only 1 SME and 0 industrial partners (0% industry ratio). This indicates the project is currently focused on fundamental science and methodology development rather than immediate commercial productization.
Contact Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) regarding the Biomass-Sequestration amplification factor.
Contact us to track the development of polar blue carbon accounting tools.
