Mangroves are increasingly recognized as one of the world’s most efficient natural carbon sinks, capable of significantly reducing carbon emissions. Massive areas of tropical peatlands and mangroves, such as the Sundarbans in Bangladesh and India, can be found in Southeast Asia, forming critical ecosystems. More than 90% of the carbon in these ecosystems is stored in the soils rather than in vegetation.

When left undisturbed, their oxygen-limited, water-saturated soils inhibit the breakdown of organic matter, sequestering carbon for thousands of years and creating a long-term buffer against climate change. Even though they only make up 5% of the region’s geographical area, they are vital to ASEAN climate ambitions and emission reduction goals.

Threats to Ecosystems and Climate Implications

A recent study published in Nature Communications highlights the substantial advantages of protecting and rehabilitating mangroves and peatlands. These ecosystems have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly while also offering critical benefits such as biodiversity preservation, shoreline stabilization, and natural disaster mitigation. However, the goal of lowering carbon emissions will not be met if these ecosystems are destroyed due to land-use changes or disturbed by dry spells like El Niño. In nations like Singapore, such disruptions may also worsen air quality, leading to a rise in public health issues such as respiratory illnesses.

The study offers estimates of emissions from mangroves and disturbed peatlands throughout Southeast Asia from 2001 to 2022, categorized by nation and land-use type. The study’s chief investigator, Associate Professor Massimo Lupascu, stressed that protecting and rehabilitating these ecosystems could reduce CO₂ emissions by almost 770 megatonnes per year, or roughly twice Malaysia’s national emissions in 2023. This highlights the urgent need for ASEAN countries to address ecosystem degradation, as the emissions from disturbed peatlands alone can equal nearly 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Also Read: UK Peatlands At Risk: Climate Change Threatens Vital Carbon Storage Ecosystem

Policy and Economic Opportunities for Conservation

The study’s co-author, Professor David Taylor, emphasized the significance of incorporating mangroves and peatlands into the revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. Significant funding for conservation and restoration projects would be necessary to meet higher emission reduction targets. In addition, ASEAN countries could adopt innovative policies such as Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) and public-private partnerships to boost investment in mangrove conservation.

According to Assistant Professor Pierre Taillardat, wetland soils have limited agronomic value, but they are unparalleled in storing carbon, highlighting the ecosystems’ economic potential. Recent studies estimate that carbon stored in Southeast Asia’s peatlands is valued at over $39 billion on the global carbon market, provided effective pricing mechanisms are implemented.

Trading carbon on the carbon credits market could open up new avenues for conservation and restoration initiatives if it were priced similarly to other essential commodities. This would make it possible for local communities to take the initiative in managing carbon emissions, creating jobs, boosting eco-tourism, and fostering sustainable livelihoods, particularly in rural areas dependent on natural resources.

Also Read: Mangroves Are Key Players In Global Biogeochemical Cycles: Study

The Way Forward: Conservation as a Priority

Given the critical role that mangroves and peatlands play in reducing climate change and promoting sustainable development, the study emphasizes the necessity for ASEAN countries to give conservation and restoration initiatives top priority. Establishing transboundary conservation efforts could further enhance the region’s climate resilience. Collaborative projects, such as the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) 2024–2030, could address issues like illegal logging, unregulated agricultural expansion, and unsustainable aquaculture practices.

Furthermore, integrating mangrove and peatland conservation into international climate financing mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund, could help ASEAN nations secure the resources needed to implement large-scale restoration projects. By combining science-based policies, financial incentives, and community engagement, the region could unlock the full potential of these ecosystems as natural climate solutions.

Also Read: Why We Need To Conserve Mangroves?