Supporting the Blue Economy with Carbon Credits: Some Sample Actions in Blue Carbon Management, Coastal Resource Use and the Maritime Sector

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 3, 310 - 324, 29.09.2025

İrşad Bayırhan

Abstract

The role of carbon markets and effective emission reduction projects is becoming increasingly critical in managing the global climate crisis. A carbon credit is a financial instrument issued in exchange for the reduction or removal of one ton of CO₂ equivalent greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. These credits can be bought and sold in voluntary or mandatory carbon markets and provide funding for environmental projects. The blue economy combines economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection through the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. Supporting the blue economy with carbon credits contributes to the fight against climate change and promotes the protection of marine ecosystems. Carbon credits can be integrated into a structure designed to support the blue economy through various ways. This study proposes four models applicable to Türkiye's seas and coastal areas: blue carbon ecosystems, maritime transportation and ports, marine energy production, and participatory actions with coastal communities. An analysis was made on which methodology these structures could be integrated. For each proposal, costs, integration mechanisms, carbon gains, and carbon credit revenue were created. As a result of the study, it was observed that the proposed sample model and all its sub-applications have an annual carbon savings potential of between 32,600 and 69,000 tCO₂ and a carbon credit income potential of between 2 and 4 million USD.

Keywords

carbon markets , blue growth , emission trading , blue carbon management

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