Sep 24, 2024 |
The company Blue Forest, which specialises in blue carbon projects, is to launch one of the largest mangrove restoration projects in the world, covering the provinces of Sofala and Zambézia in Mozambique. The ambitious project, called MozBlue, aims to plant around 200 million mangrove trees in a total area of 155,000 hectares, with a view to restoring the region's coastal ecosystems.
In the first phase, scheduled to begin in November 2024, the MozBlue project will restore 5,116 hectares of degraded coastline in Zambézia province. Over the 60-year duration of the project, mangrove planting is expected to remove approximately 20.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, thus contributing to the mitigation of global climate change, explains the UAE-based company in a statement.
This innovative project is not limited to environmental recovery, but also brings significant benefits to local communities. MozBlue will be the first carbon removal project to help the communities involved obtain land certificates, promoting land security in the areas covered. By 2030, around 5,000 seasonal and permanent jobs are expected to be created in 300 communities in the provinces of Zambézia and Sofala, offering new economic opportunities for the local population.
Jaerson Raul Moreira, leader of the Mucussa community in Zambézia, emphasised the importance of the project for his village: ‘In our community, the mangroves have disappeared. This loss is causing a drop in the availability of crabs, prawns and fish. What's more, without the mangroves, cyclones are hitting us harder. We are very happy to be working with Blue Forest to restore our important mangrove forests.’
Vahid Fotuhi, founder and CEO of Blue Forest, emphasised the importance of this ecosystem in Mozambique: ‘Mozambique's vast mangrove ecosystem, the second largest in Africa, is crucial to sustaining the livelihoods of millions of low-income families. Blue Forest is honoured to be entrusted with the long-term management of these important forests,’ he added.
Mangroves are known for their ability to absorb more carbon dioxide than other tree species, as well as protecting coastal areas from extreme weather events and sustaining fish stocks. By generating carbon removal credits, MozBlue will ensure ongoing funding for restoration activities and support for the development of local communities.
This project is part of a wider Blue Forest portfolio, which includes carbon removal and prevention initiatives in Africa and Asia, covering more than 215,000 hectares in countries such as Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Photo: pibig.info
