Kenya's coastal mangroves and seagrass meadows are more than biodiversity hotspots. They store carbon in soil and sediment, protect shorelines, and support local fisheries. This article looks at two community-led blue carbon projects, Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forest, and how they are turning conservation into carbon credits under Plan Vivo. The piece explains why high-integrity blue carbon projects need more than tree planting. They require sound hydrology, verified carbon accounting, and community ownership. It also covers Verra's pending methodology update for tidal wetlands, which could change how these projects are assessed. For anyone tracking carbon markets in Africa, this is a useful case study on how coastal carbon finance is supposed to work in practice.
