Kenya's Sh79 billion blue carbon plan: Mangrove restoration, seagrass protection, and climate finance through 2035

Kenya has launched a Sh79 billion investment plan to restore mangroves and seagrasses along its coast, aiming to strengthen the blue economy and meet climate targets. The Blue Carbon Ecosystems NDC Implementation and Investment Plan covers 2025 to 2035, with Sh36.5 billion needed by 2030. Funding will come from public sources, development partners, private investors, and carbon markets including Article 6 mechanisms. The country's blue carbon ecosystems cover roughly 150,734 acres of mangroves and 39,000 hectares of seagrass beds. Despite being less than 0.2 percent of Kenya's land area, they have stored over 75 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 1990. However, mangrove cover has declined by 15 percent and seagrass by 6 percent over the same period, driven by human activity and environmental change. The plan prioritizes ecosystem restoration, stronger governance, and community involvement. It also includes blue finance facilities, guarantees, and insurance products to mobilize the required capital. The total investment represents about 1 percent of Kenya's overall NDC financing needs.