A significant percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is caused by forest destruction and poor agricultural practices. Boosting carbon sequestration in the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector is an effective approach to reduce and remove emissions. Through afforestation and reforestation of degraded mangrove habitat we aim to establish and maintain a sustainably managed mangrove ecosystem for carbon sequestration, natural disaster risk reduction, poverty reduction with sustainable livelihoods in the coastal communities.

Mangroves are one of the earth’s most important ecosystems and serve many critical functions: buffering coasts from storm surges, preventing coastal erosion, filtering water, storing carbon, serving as a vital habitat for a great number of species, and providing food and livelihoods for local communities. According to UNESCO, Fifty percent of the world’s mangroves have disappeared in the last 40 years and continue to be destroyed and degraded by about 1% per year. At this rate, scientists predict that mangroves may be completely gone by the year 2100 unless action is taken now to protect and restore them.

The project comprises of planting mangroves in the Noa Khali, Bhola and Lakshmipur regions of Bangladesh with a total land area of 5000 hectares. The methodology that is adopted is AR-AM0014. The project aims to increase mangrove forest cover in order to protect coastal regions from erratic weather patterns such as storms, flooding and soil erosion. It will also provide the communities with improved livelihood and food security through an increase in sea food resources.

The project brings several benefits to the environment and local communities. It improves biodiversity and habitats, and food security by reducing the risk of erosion and salt intrusion in low lying agricultural land. Additionally, the mangroves act as a major carbon sink. The project contributes to the livelihoods of communities by establishing a development fund for the community, increasing sea food resources, and creating opportunities for carbon credit generation which bring in additional income.