Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
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Overview
Blue carbon refers to carbon absorbed from the atmosphere by marine organisms, and then stored within marine ecosystems like seagrass beds, seaweed beds, mangroves, and salt marshes. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) coined the term in 2009 as the counterpart to green carbon (CO₂ absorption and storage by forests).
According to the latest information from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), absorption by marine ecosystems (blue carbon) is estimated at about 2.4 billion t-CO₂ per year, nearly equal to that of land areas (about 2.3 billion t-CO₂ per year). With the world's sixth longest coastline (about 35,000 km), Japan is likely to be a major global blue carbon sequestration country, and in recent years it has drawn increasing attention as an effective and innovative measure for achieving carbon neutrality.
At Yachiyo Engineering, we address local challenges such as water purification, food supply, and environmental education, while supporting regional revitalization. We do this through CO₂ absorption measures involving the preservation and creation of blue carbon ecosystems such as seagrass meadows (seaweed and algae) and tidal flats, as well as by calculating and generating blue carbon offset credits.
・Surveys of current conditions of seagrass meadows and tidal flats using aerial and underwater drones.
・Calculation and estimation of blue carbon (CO₂ absorption amounts) using satellite data and aerial photographs.
・Estimation of blue carbon potential (CO₂ absorption amounts) using existing survey results.
・Calculation of blue carbon credits in accordance with the methodology of the J Blue Credit scheme.
・Support for preparing J Blue Credit applications and examination of strategies for utilizing acquired credits.
・Support for building independent blue carbon offset credit systems by municipalities.
・Examination of surveys, planning, evaluation, and conservation measures for the restoration and creation of seaweed beds and tidal flats.
・Installation and study of artificial reefs and artificial substrates.
・Quantitative evaluation of ecosystem services (multi-perspective benefits) other than CO₂ absorption in seagrass meadows, tidal flats, and other ecosystems (including water purification, food supply, and providing venues for environmental education).
・Support for regional revitalization using the multifunctional benefits of blue carbon ecosystems (including the branding of marine products and commercialization through various funds and bonds).