Unlocking the full potential of blue carbon is no longer just a scientific or conservation challenge. Increasingly, it is a question of policy, investment, governance, and market design. Last week, Global Mangrove Trust (GMT) participated in Turning Tides: From Policy to Profit in Vietnam’s Blue Carbon Market, a two-day international workshop in Ho Chi Minh City hosted by Flinders University, CIFOR – Center for International Forestry Research, and Nong Lam University, with support from the UBS Optimus Foundation and Impact46. Bringing together government representatives, researchers, project developers, investors, and practitioners, the event explored how Vietnam can build the foundations for a high-integrity and scalable blue carbon market.
Bringing together government representatives, researchers, project developers, investors, and practitioners, the workshop explored the policy, market, and investment landscape needed to accelerate blue carbon development in Vietnam.
Representing GMT, our Cofounder & Executive Secretary, Ryan Merrill PhD, delivered presentations on “Southeast Asia’s Climate Infrastructure Problem” and “Lessons from the Blue Carbon Corridor Project, Indonesia.” Drawing on GMT’s experience in Indonesia, the presentations explored the enabling conditions required to scale high-integrity blue carbon projects, including clear policy and regulatory frameworks, robust scientific methodologies, transparent MRV systems, and investment mechanisms that build confidence across governments, communities, and the private sector.
A key theme throughout the workshop was that carbon finance alone will not drive long-term success. Participants highlighted the importance of developing commercially viable models that integrate ecosystem restoration with sustainable local livelihoods, alongside strengthening institutional capacity as countries continue to develop their carbon market frameworks.
These discussions closely align with recent regional engagement, including GMT’s webinar with Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry on carbon market development. Together, they reflect growing momentum across Southeast Asia to strengthen the governance, market infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration needed to support credible blue carbon markets.
We thank Flinders University, CIFOR – Center for International Forestry Research, Nong Lam University, UBS Optimus Foundation, Impact46, and all participants for facilitating an important regional dialogue on the future of blue carbon.
