This publication serves as the project report for the APEC OFWG 206 2024A project, “Capacity Building on Integrating Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems into Climate Policies in the APEC Region.” The report aims to examine how coastal blue carbon ecosystems—including mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass beds—can be effectively integrated into climate policies across APEC economies. It identifies key scientific, policy, market, and governance challenges, while highlighting opportunities to strengthen climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and coastal resilience.

The publication presents the findings of the preliminary research, including comparative case studies and policy analysis across selected APEC economies, as well as the outcomes of a capacity-building workshop, a field trip and a roundtable meeting. The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and private-sector representatives to share perspectives on science–policy integration, blue carbon markets, and inclusive governance. The report concludes with a set of policy recommendations informed by the research, workshop discussions, and roundtable exchanges, offering guidance for advancing coherent, credible, and inclusive blue carbon development in the APEC region.