As the climate crisis accelerates, the Blue Carbon Initiative (BCI) stands as a coordinated global program dedicated to conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems—mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows—for their importance to climate mitigation, biodiversity and human well-being. The BCI is coordinated by Conservation International, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and IUCN.
Established in 2011, the International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group (IBCSWG) provides the scientific basis for the Blue Carbon Initiative (BCI) to advance current and emerging blue carbon science and, in so doing, facilitate policy and management for coastal ecosystem conservation and management. The IBCSWG regularly convenes in blue carbon hotspot regions, with recent meetings held in Cape Town (South Africa), Singapore, Mérida (Mexico), Edinburgh (Scotland), and Copenhagen (Denmark).
In 2025, Sri Lanka will host the meeting, co-organised by the Marine Committee of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). The Sri Lanka meeting on September 11-13 will be held in Negombo and is expected to be inaugurated by Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka, and Ms. Ashleigh McGovern, Senior Vice President, Center for Oceans, Conservation International. The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Hilary Kennedy, Bangor University. The local co-chair for the event is Prof. Sevvandi Jayakody, Chair Professor, Department of Aquaculture & Fisheries, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and a member of the General Committee of WNPS.
Over two days, sessions will focus on the topics of Blue Carbon in Sri Lanka, Aligning Blue Carbon Biodiversity Methods, Updates from the Field and Addressing Critiques of Blue Carbon from Science to Action. These discussions will feature internationally renowned experts and provide a platform for emerging Sri Lankan scientists to present their research. Selected young researchers from Wayamba University of Sri Lanka will also be presenting their products, inspired and developed from materials found in blue carbon ecosystems. To conclude the meeting, a carbon-methane flux training will be conducted by the scientists of the Smithsonian Institution and Florida International University utilizing instruments brought down from the USA for the training, the organisers said in a media release.
For over 131 years, WNPS has been synonymous with wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in the conservation of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. Being the third oldest conservation organization in the world, and also serving as the science lead for Anawilundawa Mangrove Restoration Project of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka, the Society is committed to ensure all timely topics related to Blue Carbon Ecosystems are highlighted during the conference.
A full-day field visit to the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetland Site—co-hosted by the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Blue Carbon Hub, BCI, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Forest Department and WNPS —will highlight the site’s rich biodiversity, the UN flagship award-winning Accelerated Natural Regeneration of Mangroves (ANRM) project, and community-based livelihood initiatives. Participants of both the 6th IORA Blue Carbon Hub Think Tank Meeting and the International Blue Carbon SWG Meeting will join this visit. The expected outcome of the meeting is to strengthen global collaboration, share experiences and expertise, and chart a path forward that balances the needs of local communities with ecosystem restoration and socio-economic priorities.
Leave Comments