2022 Coastal & Estuarine Summit
Hosted by Restore America's Estuaries
New Orleans, LA | December 4-8, 2022
Harnessing Coastal Blue Carbon Habitats in the Fight Against Climate Change: Insights from the States
TU2.6
Tue, 6 Dec, 10:30 - 12:00 Central Time (UTC -6)
Location: Canal
Moderator: Sylvia Troost, Pew Charitable Trusts
Track: Blue Carbon
States are stepping up to address the climate crisis by setting greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and related policies, including strategies to reduce emissions and enhance carbon storage on natural and working lands. These natural and working lands strategies are an opportunity to integrate protection and restoration of coastal “blue carbon” ecosystems into state climate mitigation planning. However, states confront challenges related to quantifying present blue carbon stocks and recent sequestration rates, as well as integrating sea level rise planning into future projections and management scenarios. This session will draw upon experiences of experts who have engaged in state natural and working lands strategies in Louisiana, Oregon, California and North Carolina. Topics to be presented and explored include Louisiana’s efforts to develop a blue carbon baseline and estimate of the carbon impact of restoration and risk reduction efforts implemented through the state’s 2017 Coastal Master Plan; the development of a GHG inventory for Oregon’s coastal wetlands and strategies for protecting and enhancing coastal blue carbon habitats through the state’s natural and working lands proposal; insights into how state agencies can incorporate coastal wetlands in forward-looking scenarios to meet GHG reduction targets using California and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as a model; and North Carolina’s efforts to develop a blue carbon inventory for its extensive submerged aquatic vegetation habitats to be incorporated into the state GHG Inventory and to help guide coastal habitat protection strategies. These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on common challenges, best practices, and lessons learned.

Incorporating Coastal Wetlands into Oregon's Natural and Working Lands Inventory

Lisa Beers, Silvestrum Climate Associates
TU2.6.1

Integrating Coastal Blue Carbon into Oregon's Natural and Working Lands Strategy

Lisa Phipps, Oregon Coastal Management Program/Department of Land Conservation and Development
TU2.6.2

Estimating Carbon Capture and Storage of Coastal Louisiana Habitats

Melissa M. Baustian, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
TU2.6.3

A Framework for Incorporating Coastal Wetlands into Climate Mitigation Strategies: Insights from California

Lydia Smith Vaughn, San Francisco Estuary Institute
TU2.6.4

Developing a Blue Carbon Inventory for North Carolina's Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Paul Cough, Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Partnership
TU2.6.5