CSM Research: The Bangladesh Mangrove Forests are key drivers for Climate Mitigation.
- M Abti
- May 5
- 5 min read
What are the real benefits of mangrove forests? What actions can be taken to preserve them? A recent Research Study involving the Centre Scientifique de Monaco - CSM (Monaco), the University of the Arctic - UArctic (Finland), the Anvivo Polar Research (Finland), the GREDEG & ECOSEAS at the Université Côte d'Azur (France), the School of Geography and Sustainable Development at the University of St Andrews (UK), the University of Plymouth (UK) and the Chōme 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan), provided a valuable contribution of socio-economic and biological knowledge.
The Sundarbans mangrove forests, covering 4,260 Km2 in West Bengal (India) and 6,017 km2 (62 %) in Bangladesh, are a significant example of habitat capable of providing essential environmental services. Researchers decided then to consider in detail its evolution through the examination of data, showcasing natural science, socio-economic, finance and policy issues.
Despite the serious problems of poverty and social instability affecting this Country located in the Indian peninsula, its rich biodiversity makes it a strategic place hosting one of the largest mangrove forests worldwide. A real wall of canopy capable to minimise the effects of extreme weather phenomena due to heavy rains during the monsoon season. Droughts and floods alternate throughout the year representing a potential danger to local living being communities. Moreover, sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion are real threats along the entire coastline. Mangroves, equipped with both aerial and special filtration roots, that allow them to thrive in brackish water, protect against storm surges and prevent coastal erosion while providing shelter and valuable food sources. Thus, human communities (about 3,5 million of people live in the surroundings) are closely linked to those ecosystems which represent economic and social survival hubs.
Finding a balance between ecosystem services (e.g.: carbon sequestration, soil nutrients creation, oxygen production, pollutant and sediment regulation, marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage preservation, etc.) and exploitation of natural resources, to increase fishing and farming earnings, is not easy to find but not impossible to reach through nature-based solutions (NbS).
This study, entitled "Blue carbon as a nature-based climate mitigation strategy for mangrove conservation in Bangladesh" ** is intended to provide technical and practical support for indigenous decision-makers and communities.
Mangrove Ecosystem as an economic and social driver.
The Sundarbans mangrove forests are an essential ecosystem for a country like Bangladesh, which is highly exposed to the extreme effects of climate change. The socioeconomic benefits of these habitats are manifold, being specifically addressed to the local community (the annual revenue is over 4.43 billion USD). Climate mitigation, CO2 sequestration, biodiversity safeguarding, economic wellbeing are some of the key services provided.
A long-term vision supported by adequate finance mechanism fosters sustainability.
Conservation and Blue Carbon strategies can be adequately supported through a comprehensive approach taking into account both the local and global levels. Resulting from a multiscale action plan, significant results can only be achieved by encouraging multilateral nature-based solutions, strategic environmental planning, sectorial conservation and adaptive initiatives involving multiple levels of governance.
Implementation standards and measurable indicators (like the Key Performance Indicators _ KPI) are equally imperative to monitor and value the outcomes at every stage of implementation.
A multidisciplinary approach as the core mission.
The success of each action can only pass through the involvement of various knowledge, notably science, communication, education, environmental and social issues, governance and policy making.
The Blue Carbon Market as an effective tool of natural conservation.
Establishing a scale-up Blue Bio-Carbon Market regarding Sundarbans mangrove forests can generate a positive domino effect to attract private financial investments which are crucial to put into practices sustainable economic projects fuelled by innovation, technology and infrastructures. All this is put in place to facilitate a more cost-effective exchange of carbon credits that represent a ton of CO2 avoided or removed from the atmosphere. The corresponding market represents an important achievement in the application of what has been established by COP29 (in Baku) where participants reached significant progress on carbon markets, approving rules for bilateral trade and a centralised mechanism for the global marketplace.
In Bangladesh, a pioneering integrated credit system could be launched to include both natural and cultural capital in the calculation of the country's welfare. Some of the most important environmental services could therefore be quantified and booked within the system of national accounts.
Pursuing ecosystem services to save the Planet.
Attributing an economic value to carbon sequestration, prevention against coastal erosion, biodiversity booster, climate mitigation, natural disaster management, and other ecological services, will help to keep Sundarbans' ecosystem intact with direct benefits for the entire Planet as for food security, access to freshwater and preservation of human cultural identity closely linked to wildlife.
Resulting from a seven-thousand-year process capable of depositing the debris from the Himalayan chain, the Sundarbans mangrove forests between Bangladesh and India are a valuable habitat made of emblematic fauna and flora which must be protected from any anthropogenic threat which is being increasing water salinity to the detriment of mangrove forests. An effective stewardship of the whole area is able to set the stage of a more sustainable exploitation of various natural sources to meet human needs in order to be respectful of natural rhythms while producing natural assets.
Shared Governance, coordinated land planning, technical, finance and multi-sectorial knowledge should then cooperate to reach common goals in terms of eco-tourism, blue economy, sustainable agriculture and aquaculture. This research study lays the foundations for a constructive dialogue between the parties involved to set joint guidelines, evaluation criteria and operative tools, which are likely to be successful. ***
** Nathalie Hilmi (CSM), Gisele Arruda (UArctic & Anvivo Polar Research), David Broussard (GREDEG & ECOSEAS, Université Côte d'Azur), Belen Maria Benitez (CSM), Laurène Sauron (CSM), Tali Lamaud (CSM), Nipa Jahan (University of Southampton), Jason M. Hall Spencer (University of Plymouth & Chōme 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Innodai) : "Blue carbon as a nature-based climate mitigation strategy for mangrove conservation in Bangladesh", Journal for Nature Conservation 86 (2025) 126885, pages 9.
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By Maurice Abbati
Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.
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