Offsetting with Mangroves

When researching mangrove sequestration online, you may notice that the exact amount of CO2 mangroves sink varies from report to report. There are many reasons for this variation; Different scientific methodologies, studies focusing on different mangrove species or locations, the inclusion or exclusion of soil carbon content. The list goes on.

Commonly, environmental research projects find new data and use new methodologies regularly. Importantly carbon sequestration has gained more attention and scientific research has increased. Developing and evolving our understanding of mangroves.

But while reports may differ in their exact results, there is one thing they do agree on… Mangroves and Blue Carbon ecosystems are some of the most effective ways to draw down atmospheric carbon.

Up until 2021 Starboard have based our Mangrove planting on studies carried out by Pathein University and Yangon University. These studies reported that over the first 20 years of a Mangrove tree’s life 1 tonne of carbon dioxide is sequestered and stored within the tree and surrounding soil. We planted our first 500,000 mangroves to offset our emissions based on these numbers.

In 2021 Starboard began planting Mangroves under the Verified Carbon Standard. Meaning our mangroves now have their carbon sequestration officially recognised in the form of carbon credits. These credits are split 50/50 between Starboard and the Worldview International Foundation’s Livelihoods Program. Where they will fund and support the local communities protecting and planting the Mangroves.

Planting mangroves under VCS means we calculate using their specific carbon sequestration calculations. Unlike the Pathein University study we followed before, VCS calculations only include the tree (excluding soil carbon content). VCS states that within the first 20 years their mangroves sequester 590 KG of CO2. As mentioned earlier, Starboard share these new trees 50/50 with the WIF livelihoods program. So now we can only use 50% of trees carbon absorption to offset our emissions: 295 KG CO2.

It is still important that we continue to offset our carbon footprint 10 times over, and as a result we are now excited to say that we will be planting 4 trees to absorb every 1 tonne of CO2 that we emit.

This means we can reforest 4 times the amount of land we were before. Creating more habitat for wildlife, protecting more of Myanmar’s coastline and supporting communities further.

Over the years, we have worked with different methods. These are still valid and aligned with the studies at the time. Let’s take a look at our timeline over the years.

 

2019

From this date all trees were planted in the pilot project at the Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park, Myanmar. Based upon the scientific studies of the soil and tree growth the total sequestered was over 1 tonne across 20 years. These studies were conducted by
Pathein University and Yangon University.
100,000 mangroves were planted in August.
150,000 mangroves were planted in October.
250,000 mangroves were planted in December.

 

2020

The Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park became fully planted! With 9 million trees in the ground, restoring 2,100 Ha of mangrove forest.
During this time, Worldview International Foundation secured many new areas to restore mangrove forests, such as areas around Yangon and the Bao Regions of Myanmar, which is where we still plant today!

 

2021

Our group reached the total of 1 million mangroves planted with the Worldview International Foundation! 500,000 of these were planted in line with the calculations from the two Universities. The second half were planted with VCS carbon credits.
150,000 mangroves planted in February.
350,000 mangroves planted in November.

 

2022

Currently, all CO2 emissions are still covered by the 500,000 mangroves that were planted without carbon credits. With a lot more remaining. Once these have been used up, all emissions will be covered by VCS carbon credits, which is where we will plant 4 trees for every 1 tonne. Any carbon credits allocated to offset emissions will be blocked out and not be sold on.

It is important to note, the company plants more and more mangroves each year to restore nature. We believe the scientists who state Blue Carbon is the best at sequestering CO2, and we know how important the mangroves are to biodiversity. Even if a carbon credit is sold, the tree stays in the ground and is protected. If the company chooses to sell unallocated carbon credits, the financial return will be invested into the company in areas such as; funding more research and development areas for eco innovations and development, environmental bonuses for staff and stakeholders, and saving for a rainy day!