Protecting Mangroves in the Dominican Republic through the Blue Carbon Exchange
Project Lead: CI-Atabey Foundation
Supporting Partners: Dominican Institute of Integral Development (IDDI); Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MIMARENA); Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster; Montecristi Tourism Cluster; Association of agricultural producers; Agrofrontera.
Financial Support: The UK’s Blue Planet Fund
Location: Montecristi and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Project Timeline/Status: October 2024 – March 2026
Project Summary
CI-Atabey Foundation is developing the Dominican Republic’s first Blue Carbon Exchange mechanism to conserve and restore the nation’s vital mangrove forests by selling high-quality blue carbon credits.
As natural carbon sinks, mangroves play a key role in combatting climate change but have faced increasing threats over the past two decades. This project will quantify the blue carbon captured by these ecosystems, establish a formal carbon credit system and bring together key stakeholders, aligning with government efforts to protect mangroves. The Blue Carbon Exchange mechanism promotes blue carbon as a powerful climate solution, going beyond traditional conservation efforts.
By adopting the High-Quality Blue Carbon (HQBC) Principles and Guidance as well as Practitioners Guide, the initiative not only supports the protection of mangroves but also contributes to global efforts to standardise blue carbon practices, delivering long-lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits to coastal communities.
Challenge
Mangrove forests in the Dominican Republic are increasingly threatened by coastal development, overfishing, climate change, and insufficient protection. In Montecristi and Puerto Plata, deforestation driven by agriculture, tourism, pollution, and unplanned urbanization further jeopardises these ecosystems.
Conserving these essential carbon sinks will not only help mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity, but also offer socio-economic benefits to local communities, such as sustainable fishing, ecotourism opportunities, and natural protection against extreme coastal weather events.
Solution
By creating a formalised carbon credit system aligned with the HQBC Principles and Guidance as well as Practitioners Guide, and engaging stakeholders through training and awareness campaigns, the Dominican Blue Carbon Exchange will drive mangrove protection while supporting local communities.
A comprehensive monitoring system will track mangrove growth, health, and carbon capture, ensuring measurable impact. In parallel, the project will provide environmental education and training to coastal communities, strengthening their resilience and promoting sustainable mangrove management.
Scaling and Next Steps
This is the first blue carbon project in the Dominican Republic that is applying the HQBC Principles and Guidance as well as Practitioners Guide and a great opportunity to set the standard for high-quality carbon credits in the country and region.