GO-BC
The Full Story
Exploring Blue Carbon in the Ca Mau Mangroves: A Collaborative Field Mission
Meet the Team!
In August 2024, a dynamic team from WWF-Viet Nam, WWF-UK, GO-BC, and Nong Lam University embarked on a four-day mission to advance blue carbon science and strengthen national capacity in Viet Nam. From fieldwork in the lush mangrove forests of Ca Mau to a high-level workshop in Hanoi, the mission was a powerful blend of fieldwork, training, and stakeholder engagement.
Day 1: Laying the Groundwork in Ca Mau
Monday, August 19
The mission kicked off with a strategic stakeholder meeting between the project team and the Kien Vang Forest Management Board (KFMB). This session set the tone for the week, aligning goals and expectations. The team then headed into the field, where GO-BC and Nong Lam University experts led hands-on training in blue carbon field methods for WWF-Viet Nam staff. The day concluded with the collection
Day 2: Comparing Natural and Restored Mangroves
Tuesday, August 20
The second day focused on comparative fieldwork. The team visited two distinct sites: a 10-year-old mangrove restoration area and a natural mangrove forest. By collecting environmental data and samples from both natural and restored mangrove sites, the researchers aim to assess how restored mangroves measure up to their natural counterparts in terms of ecological function and carbon storage and sequestration. See more on how the team have began to develop the data collected from Viet Nam here.
Day 3: Science Meets Policy in Ngoc Hien
Wednesday, August 21
On day three, the team split into two groups to maximize its impact. One group engaged with local stakeholders—including representatives from DARD, CUFO, and community leaders in Ngoc Hien District—to discuss the intersection of blue carbon science, policy, and livelihoods in Southern Viet Nam. Meanwhile, the second group continued field sampling at WWF-Viet Nam’s restoration sites, focusing on mangroves aged three and seven years. These samples will help deepen our understanding of how management efforts in areas being used for both shrimp aquaculture and mangrove restoration are performing in terms of carbon sequestration compared to natural and recently restored mangrove areas.
Day 4: National Dialogue in Hanoi
Friday, August 23
The mission culminated in a high-level Blue Carbon Workshop at WWF-Viet Nam’s Hanoi office. Attended by national ministries, NGOs, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, the workshop featured insightful presentations on the state of blue carbon science and policy in Viet Nam. Discussions centred on integrating blue carbon into national policies and NDCs, and exploring pathways for developing carbon markets tailored to Viet Nam’s unique ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward mainstreaming blue carbon science in Viet Nam. By combining rigorous fieldwork with inclusive dialogue and stakeholder discussions, the team is helping to build a more resilient, climate-smart future—rooted in the power of mangroves.
