C-BLUES at the Blue Carbon Finance Workshop: Turning Ambition into Action
From 9–11 February 2026, Kirsten Isensee and Olivia Rendon, project members of C‑BLUES, participated in the Blue Carbon Finance Workshop, co-hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The workshop brought together governments, financial institutions, NGOs, and experts, marking a key milestone in advancing global blue carbon action.
Our C-BLUES project members; Kirsten Isensee (IOC-UNESCO) and Olivia Rendon (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) at the workshop.
From Commitments to Action
Discussions focused on turning climate commitments into real-world impact, including:
Aligning national climate plans (NDCs) with implementation
Connecting finance providers and project developers
Strengthening the Blue Carbon Finance Toolbox (BCFT)
For C‑BLUES, this provided valuable insights into how science, policy, and finance can work together to support effective blue carbon solutions.
Olivia Rendon presenting at the workshop.
Building Momentum for Blue Carbon
Participants highlighted the importance of blue carbon ecosystems—such as mangroves and seagrasses—for climate mitigation, biodiversity, and coastal resilience. At the same time, the workshop underscored the urgent need to scale up financing through a mix of public, private, and innovative funding mechanisms.
There was a strong focus on ensuring high-integrity projects, improving data and monitoring systems, and strengthening collaboration across sectors and regions.
Looking Ahead
The workshop demonstrated the growing energy and collaboration around blue carbon. For C‑BLUES, participation reinforced the importance of supporting practical, scalable solutions that link research with policy and finance.
Learn more about the Blue Carbon Finance Toolbox here.
All participants of the workshop outside UNESCO’s Headquaters in Paris.