Objectives

1. In the light of the limited studies in the literature that connects the recent reliable estimates to carbon emissions and its relation to the mangroves in Egyptian Red Sea coast, the overall objective of this project is to facilitate development in the area, restore mangrove ecosystems, enhance ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration), promote sustainable mangrove related income, and act as a model for future projects. 1) Measure and Quantify the carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove using low cost, and scientifically proven techniques. 2) Establish the first comprehensive research program on blue carbon stored in mangrove forests along the Red Sea coast of Egypt and create the basis for blue carbon inventory. 3) Integrate blue carbon into coastal policy, planning and management strategies. 4) Use geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to create a detailed database on the extent of mangrove forests in Red Sea. 5) To improve the capacity for marine research within research organizations in Egypt and to increase the capabilities of country professionals and graduate students through providing training materials. Our overall goal is to realize the following targets of SDG’s and related UN decisions: 1) Sustainably manage and protect marine ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and act for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. 2) Conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information, 3) Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity, and transfer marine technology, considering the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular Small Island developing States and least developed countries, 4) Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources target, 5) The importance of mapping to know the negative influence caused by anthropogenic stressors on coastal ecosystems, 6) Mapping serves to estimate, conserve and manage blue carbon. The current project will be a baseline to show that blue carbon represents a key and politically resonant opportunity for Egypt to strengthen their efforts in coastal ecosystems management. The case studies from Ecuador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the UAE, show that there is no single solution to how best to incorporate blue carbon into coastal management (Herr et al., 2017). The opportunities can take different forms with countries taking different approaches to deliver on blue carbon, depending on their national and local legal, policy and social conditions. Generally, successes have been witnessed using a community- based carbon project approach, ensuring high stakeholder participation via direct or indirect incentive programs. Two new tools introduced by the Paris Agreement will be also applied which could serve as means to trigger more and better coastal adaptation and mitigation efforts as follows: 1) National climate change plans: It describes the activities needed and/or planned to mitigate as well as to adapt to climate change in a specific national context. They often define the priority activities trying to balance immediate needs and urgency with long-term sustainable development and national planning activities. 2) Nationally appropriate mitigation actions (NAMA): They are any action that reduces emissions as part of a national governmental initiative. They range from policies directed at transformational change within an economic sector, to actions across sectors with a broader national focus. NAMAs are supported and enabled by technology, financing, and capacity building and are aimed at achieving a reduction in emissions relative to ‘business as usual’ emissions (UNFCCC, 2016).

Our Partners

Project Coordinator

Kar e em M a h m oud Tonbol

Associat e Professor, Head of Meteorolog and Hydrographi Survey Program

Mobile: 010655448 17

E-mail: ktonbol@aast.edu

This Project is Funded by