Rapid Response To Climate Change

500% expansion in carbon mitigation from WIF`s mangrove parks.

2020 is a decisive year for climate change. With increased CO2 emissions, immediate action is needed. This is especially important at a time with accelerated increase in forest fires and deforestation. According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), forest-related emissions have gone up since the Paris Agreement. Between 2015 and 2017 it is 63 percent higher than the average for the previous 14 years, reaching 4,9 billion metric tons per year. By protecting tropical forests and restoring lost areas, tropical forests could potentially provide 23 percent of the climate change mitigation needed to keep warming under 2 degrees.

A cost effective solution

Planting mangrove trees is the most cost-effective solution, mitigating 5 times more CO2 than terrestrial trees. In addition, mangroves protect lives and infrastructure from cyclones and other extreme weather, as well as increasing sea food resources by 50% and providing many life bearing eco system services. Worldview International Foundation (WIF) has since 2012 developed new methods in mangrove restoration, with record high 96% survival rate in addition to new efficient planting techniques.

Target for 2020

WIF`s target for 2020 is to expand its planting capacity to 20 million trees. Land rights for planting has been secured for over 30 years. Companies from Korea, France, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, UK, USA, Finland, Denmark and Norway have signed up for investment impact partnership yielding VCS carbon mitigation to offset climate footprints. In addition, private donations and other support are contributing to higher impact.

With 100,000 Ha restoration and additional conservation of 500,000 Ha to be implemented within the next ten years with 1,1 billion mangrove trees, mitigating over 700 million tons CO2.

From 2021, the project will include 5,000 Ha conservation of sea grass meadows and coral reefs. This include saving endangered dugongs, sea turtles and other endangered species. The project will provide livelihoods and sustainable development in cooperation with coastal communities, benefitting over 20 million people.

– It is high time to restore broken nature for increased blue carbon mitigation, proven during millions of years. We invite partners to support the most cost-effective climate solution, nature`s lifeline to our future, says Arne Fjortoft, WIFs Secretary General.