Investing in blue forest ecosystem conservation and restoration along the Norwegian coast

Key Learnings

• Economic and multiple benefits: Conservation and restoration of blue forest habitats bring many important benefits related to ecosystem services to local communities. These benefits can have very high economic and non-economic value.
• Investment decision-making: Decision-makers must consider the direct economic benefits that can be realised in the short term and the multiple benefits from ecosystem conservation and restoration in the long run.
• Business models: It is important to increase the private sector's and financial institutions' involvement in coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and restoration activities. Suitable business models and financing mechanisms must be identified to upscale blue forest conservation and restoration according to local contexts.
• Involvement of local stakeholders: Engaging with local stakeholders who interact with the ecosystem is crucial to garner support for conservation and restoration efforts and to safeguard the wellbeing of local coastal communities.

Summary

Blue forests are valuable ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. This, in turn, helps coastal areas adapt to climate change and sustain coastal economic activities. Stakeholder involvement is crucial for project support and developing climate-adapted business and financing models.

Contact

Economics of blue forest conservation and restoration in Norway: Wenting Chen, senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, wenting [dot] chenniva [dot] no (wenting[dot]chen[at]niva[dot]no)

Invest4Nature project: Andreas Turk, Joanneum Research, andreas [dot] turkjoanneum [dot] at (andreas[dot]turk[at]joanneum[dot]at)