Parque natural Bahía de Cádiz (Spain)
Solutions
- As part of the LIFE Blue Natura project, two areas of degraded marshland (tidal marshes) in the Bay of Cádiz were restored, covering 365 hectares in total (in Puerto Real and El Puerto de Santa María).
- Moreover, the CO2 absorption generated by the restoration of seagrass meadows and tidal marshes was quantified
Results
- These pilot actions led to the establishment of a subnational Standard for certifying for blue carbon projects (for seagrass meadows and tidal marshes) in the region of Andalusia. This Standard established the requirements, criteria and methodology for blue carbon sequestration in accordance with the Andalusian Emission Offsetting System, the government’s voluntary mechanism for promoting greenhouse gas emission offsetting in the region.
- Investment from four private corporate groups was achieved to support restoration, in an excellent example of public-private collaboration.
Key learnings
- Importance of promoting positive engagement with the private sector to increase funding for restoration in support of Corporate Social Responsibility strategies.
- Potential of Blue Carbon initiatives to foster private-public involvement in wetland restoration
Name of the site: Parque natural Bahía de Cádiz (Spain)
Geographical location: Puerto Real and El Puerto De Santa María, Cádiz, Spain
Leading organisations: IUCN, Andalusian regional government
Funding partner: LIFE Programme, Horizon Programme, Cepsa, Navantia, Eulen
Size of area benefiting from restoration: 365 hectares
Wetland types: Tidal marshes, seagrass meadows
Enabling factors
☑ System productivity
☑ Diversification of funding
☑ Successful pilot testing
☑ Development of governance structures
☑ Favourable policy context
☑ Support of local authorities
☑ Leadership/ entrepreneurship
☑ Direct involvement of private sector
Restoration types
☑ hydrological restoration
☑ morphological restoration
☑ hydro-morphological restoration
☑ water quality improvement
☑ vegetation restoration
☑ removal of invasive alien species