Climate scientists have long viewed the regeneration of our planet’s natural ecosystems as essential to mitigating the climate crisis and rebuilding marine life. However, only recently has marine science exposed evidence of “blue carbon,” the exceptional carbon sequestration and biodiversity capability of mangroves, salt marshes, sea grasses and macroalgae.
Coupled with a rise in perceived urgency from the global community, newly stimulated carbon financial markets, and a fast-moving wave of corporate commitments, restoration efforts today have wind at their backs.
Blue natural capital offers rich climate adaptation and socio-ecological benefits in addition to removing excess carbon from the atmosphere and - if protected against future disturbance - storing it permanently in the soil.
A dollar invested in these ecosystems returns many multiples in ecosystem value.
The IAO directs directs investments into viable blue natural capital projects across ecosystems.
The IAO leads investment capital to best-in-class ocean restoration projects—those that maximize for abundance.
Such projects create the greatest value for investors precisely because they create the greatest value for the climate, our ecosystems and local communities.
Foundation-governed, the IAO balances the market advantage it offers to investors by setting conditions that ensure local stakeholder benefits and equitable distribution of earnings.
Grounded in a language of offset and credits, the current investment narrative treats carbon as the problem and de- carbonisation as the solution—an end in itself.
The IAO offers a paradigm shift: Carbon, the building block of biological life, is the means to an end—that of flourishing ecosystems.
While decarbonizing the atmosphere is critical, recarbonizing the biosphere can create the kind of future we want to live in.
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support more biodiversity than all other marine ecosystems combined.
Because their value cannot be measured in carbon sequestration, the currently established carbon offset markets are failing our oceans most vital ecosystems.
With its unique network of scientists and partners, the IAO develops and continually refines the tools and methodologies to measure, certify and tokenize ecosystem abundance.
