Methodology for Sustainable Management of Mangroves

What activities are applicable for the Gold Standard Mangrove Methodology?

Eligible activities include:  

• Reforestation (planting) of native mangrove trees. 
• Reforestation (planting) of mangrove-associate tree species that have been identified as historically related to native mangroves in the project area (based on peer-review information, global datasets or participatory historical land-use analysis).

From which date is the Gold Standard mangrove methodology allowed to be used? 

The Gold Standard Mangrove Methodology was published on 22/08/2024 and came into force on the same date.

Should my project apply the Afforestation/Reforestation(A/R) Methodology, or the Sustainable Mangrove Methodology?  

From the date of publication, the Gold Standard A/R Methodology will no longer be available for listing mangrove projects. Projects should use the Mangrove Methodology, which has been specially curated for mangroves ecosystems. Please see the question below for what this means for existing projects.

What does this new methodology mean for existing mangrove projects applying the Afforestation/Reforestation A/R meth? 

For Design Certified Projects:

Once a project is Design Certified, the methodology applied is fixed for the crediting period and must be reviewed at Design Certification Renewal. However, a project developer may wish to voluntarily apply a new, or updated methodology prior to Design Certification Renewal; in this case, the project must be submitted for review and re-certification in a formal request for a design change. 

For Listed Projects:

Listed projects are not obliged to adopt the new methodology or activity requirements before Design Certification, however they may do so voluntarily.   

Can existing mangrove forests be restored?  

The methodology focuses on the restoration of mangroves through plantation in those areas that historically sustained mangroves. However, the methodology does not allow for restoration in those areas where mangroves meet the host country's definition of forests (please refer to the forest definition provided by the DNA here: https://cdm.unfccc.int/DNA/index.html). In other words, restoration of existing mangrove 'forests', even if they are degraded, is not considered in the impact quantification methodology.

Can the methodology support reforestation of areas which were deforested under a past policy?

The methodology does not have any restriction on the cause of historic deforestation, except that it shall be anthropogenic. Also, if the deforestation occurred within 10 years prior to the start date, it shall be demonstrated that the Project Developer was not the agent of deforestation.

How can I demonstrate that an area is eligible under the methodology? 

A spatial assessment is performed to delimit eligible areas. Guidelines for Conducting Spatial Assessments, including a methodological workflow is outlined in Appendix 1 of the impact quantification methodology.

What can I do if protecting the project mangroves disadvantages local communities which might have wanted access for wood, or to use the land for agriculture? 

Project developers shall use a multistakeholder and participatory approach to determine and mitigate any impacts on local communities. The procedures and requirements outlined in Principle 1: Contribution to Climate Security & Sustainable Development and Principle 3: Safeguarding Principles & Requirements of the Blue Carbon & Freshwater Wetlands Activity Requirements should be followed.

How can I demonstrate that the project does not lead to deforestation elsewhere by these communities? 

Leakage are the GHG emissions that occur due to a shift of activities from the inside of a project area to the outside of a project area, such as wood collection, timber harvesting and agriculture. Leakage emissions can be quantified and attributed to the project activities in line with section 5.9 of the methodology.

Can a Gold Standard mangrove project be managed by a national/local authority?

A Mangrove Project is to be developed by a Project Developer. The Project Developer can be a national/local authority. Please refer to our Glossary for further details.

Can a project be required/mandated by legislation?

Regulatory surplus shall be demonstrated for all activities, irrespective of scale. The project shall demonstrate that the proposed activity is neither directly mandated by law nor otherwise triggered by legal requirements (e.g., legally binding agreements, covenants, consent decrees, or contracts (with government agencies or private parties). If such legal requirements are identified, then crediting for the activity shall only be allowed until the date the legal requirements and its enforcement would take effect. 

Please refer to the Section 5.3.1 of the methodology and Principle 5 in the Blue Carbon & Freshwater Wetlands Activity Requirements for further additionality requirements.