Pakistan's maritime affairs minister said the country could earn $20 to $50 million annually by selling carbon credits from its mangrove forests. Mangroves in the Indus Delta and Balochistan absorb and store carbon dioxide, which can be traded on carbon markets. The minister made the statement on World Mangrove Day, July 26, 2026. Pakistan has the seventh largest arid-climate mangrove forest in the world. Mangroves sequester about four times more carbon than terrestrial forests and also protect coastlines from erosion and storms. The government is calling for more investment and stricter enforcement against encroachment to expand the program. The revenue estimate depends on carbon credit prices and the volume of credits sold. A 2024 WWF-Pakistan report warned that mangrove areas near Karachi have been cleared for housing and industrial projects, threatening the resource. The minister linked mangrove protection to food security and livelihoods for fishing communities.
