Blue carbon is growing fast, but growing it well means keeping the whole coastal ecosystem in view, not just the carbon it stores. On 8–9 September, our Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Jessica Novia, brought that perspective to the Indonesia Carbon and Biodiversity Summit 2026 in Nusa Dua, Bali, as a speaker on the panel "Blue Carbon at Scale: Coast, Climate, Community." She was joined by fellow panelists from Apolownia, Tabah Asia, the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and Katalys Partners, bringing together perspectives from project development, finance, government, and the carbon market.
Carbon Is One Outcome, Not the Only One
Our projects are guided by science and built around three goals: ecosystem restoration, carbon sequestration, and coastal resilience. Biodiversity is part of that restoration work, and protecting species and their habitats keeps the landscapes we work in ecologically balanced. For us, a high-quality carbon project is one that contributes to climate action while keeping the whole ecosystem healthy.
On the panel, Jessica drew on our experience developing community-based blue carbon projects. Her point was that lasting impact depends on the people who live alongside these ecosystems.
In our project areas, coastal communities rely on mangroves and the surrounding ecosystems for their livelihoods. That's why community-based approaches are built into how we develop projects, including sustainable mangrove management, forest patrols, fire prevention training, and ecosystem-based livelihood initiatives.
A Model Worth Replicating: Silvofishery
One approach we're exploring is silvofishery, a model that integrates mangrove management with aquaculture. Instead of treating conservation and fish farming as competing uses of the coast, silvofishery lets both share the same space.
Alongside training, capacity building, and community development programs, models like this aim to support socio-economic wellbeing. At the same time, they strengthen communities' ability to look after their ecosystems for years to come.
Looking Ahead
The summit brought together perspectives on how blue carbon projects are developed and what they need to stay viable over time. For us, it confirmed that scaling blue carbon well takes scientific integrity, community participation, and lasting ecological value, working together.
We're grateful to the summit organizers and our fellow panelists for a thoughtful conversation, and we look forward to continuing it.
Explore our projects: carbonethics.co/our-projects
Read More: CarbonEthics at IdeaFest 2026: The Human Core of Innovation
About CarbonEthics
CarbonEthics is a tech-enabled Ecosystem Restoration Company specializing in carbon project development and blue carbon ecosystems. We bridge ecosystem restoration, climate finance, and regulatory expertise to deliver high-integrity carbon solutions that create real impact for local communities while preserving biodiversity.
