Carbon projects in the voluntary carbon market are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global climate goals. However, the true impact of these projects often lies in their ability to deliver additional benefits beyond carbon removal—known as co-benefits. These co-benefits create meaningful outcomes for communities, addressing social and economic needs while supporting environmental conservation.
By incorporating co-benefits, carbon projects transform into holistic initiatives that improve livelihoods, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen local economies. These added benefits ensure that carbon projects are sustainable and remain relevant to the communities they serve.
This year, Wovoka has intensified its efforts to explore innovative ways of incentivizing community-driven forest restoration initiatives. Through co-benefit programs, we seek to inspire active participation from local communities while addressing their immediate needs, even as the broader project design evolves.
This article highlights Wovoka’s approach to designing co-benefit programs, with a focus on aligning community needs with practical solutions. As a case study, we delve into the story of one of our partner organizations that successfully implemented a coin-operated Wi-Fi business, demonstrating how co-benefits can empower communities and create lasting positive impacts.
The Center for People’s Empowerment in the Upland- Farmers Association Inc. (CPEU-FAI), one of the pilot partners of Wovoka Philippines in forest restoration and rehabilitation, has been identified as the initial beneficiary of the co-benefit program. The organization holds a tenurial right in an area known as the Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA).
In previous conversations with CPEU-FAI leaders and through firsthand experience, Wovoka Philippines identified several communication challenges. Due to limited mobile network signals in the area, it has been difficult to maintain timely communication for project updates.
With this in mind, Wovoka Philippines developed a solution offering them early incentives as they join the restoration program.
In May 2024, Wovoka Philippines’ Regulatory Compliance Lead, Rae Lucena, visited CPEU-FAI to deliver a pre-purchased Starlink Wifi system and a coin-operated Wifi vending machine. The Starlink kit includes a Standard Actuated Kit, an Ethernet adapter, and a pipe adapter.
The PisoWiFi vending machine allows users to access the internet by selecting the WiFi network on their device, navigating a login page, and inserting coins to gain internet access for a specified duration. For a minimum of 1 peso, the users can gain access to the internet for 15 minutes, while a 10 peso coin can give 1 hour limited access.
This setup is popular in the province due to its low-cost, retail-friendly design. Starlink was chosen for its ability to provide high-speed internet with download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, making it suitable for rural connectivity needs.
Initially, the PisoWifi business faced technical challenges. Fortunately, Wovoka tapped a technician to complete the setup, allowing operations to begin smoothly. In less than a month of operation, the organization reported initial earnings of over PHP 3,000.00 (around USD 50) within just 12 days.
Mr. Jose Carlos Asug, the son of the CPEU President, shared how their first earnings helped them:
“Marami nagwa-WIFI. Ang ginawa namin ni Misis ay may nakuha kaming 4,000.00 mula sa 4Ps (Cash for Work program known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), idinagdag namin sa mga pinamili namin para mabuhay at magkalaman ang tindahan namin.”
("A lot of people use the WiFi. My wife and I combined our Php 4,000.00 cash assistance from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with the first earnings from WiFi to restock our convenience store.")
With high demand for WiFi, the community sees an opportunity to revitalize local businesses. CPEU Treasurer Ma. Christina Llantos remarked on the positive changes:
“It’s a big help, especially in restocking my brother’s store. It also helps fund our meetings, covering snacks and refreshments. Before, we had to stretch resources to make ends meet. Thanks to PisoWiFi, we now have additional support.”
Under the agreement with CPEU-FAI, Wovoka will cover the first year of Starlink subscription fees, amounting to PHP 2,700.00 monthly (around USD 45). Afterward, CPEU-FAI will take on the responsibility for continued premium payments.
Given the program’s success, Wovoka has committed to implementing a similar co-benefit project with another partner, the Baay-Labo Upland Farmers Inc. (BLUFAI) in Labo, Camarines Norte.
In addition to the PisoWiFi project, Wovoka is investigating other income opportunities for its partners that utilize local resources and expertise. During a community check-in in July 2024, several potential projects were identified, such as bakery services, hog dispersal programs, handicrafts, abaca stripping, nursery development, beekeeping, and biochar production. Wovoka is excited to secure potential sponsors and market support for these products to ensure that they can be sustainable.
These early co-benefit projects underscore Wovoka’s commitment not only to carbon development but also to community empowerment. As the project design progresses, Wovoka is confident that its partner organizations will benefit from immediate income and gain experience in business management as they prepare for the program’s full implementation.
Sabira Alloo brings a wealth of experience in leveraging technology to drive growth and efficiency for top companies around the globe. As the Head of Private Equity Partnerships at Google Cloud, she works closely with private equity firms to unlock value in their portfolio companies through strategic technology solutions.
In addition to her role at Google, Sabira advises climate-focused startups, guiding them through scaling their operations and fostering innovation. Her expertise spans both the business and social impact sectors, making her a valuable leader in sustainability initiatives.
She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and dual Master’s degrees in International Relations and Urban Planning from the University of Southern California and a BS in Economics and French from UC Berkeley.
During our interview, Sabira shared her thoughts on sustainability, private equity, and how startups can thrive,
“On a day-to-day basis, this involves briefings with investment and operating partners about the latest developments at Google,” Sabira explained. “We work together to identify how our technology can drive efficiency and unlock innovation across industries.”
While not all the firms she works with are focused on carbon removal, sustainability is increasingly a priority. “For example, one firm we’re partnering with has a fund dedicated entirely to climate-related investments. In those cases, we’re primarily collaborating with early- to mid-stage climate-focused startups,” she said.
In her advisory work for Startups for Sustainable Development, Sabira plays a critical role in helping emerging companies scale. When asked about the key factors for success, she emphasized the importance of storytelling and clear value propositions.
“Startups often have great solutions but struggle communicating their vision effectively,” Sabira noted. “It’s crucial to clearly define the return on investment for both investors and customers. Differentiating your solution and quantifying its benefits—whether in terms of efficiency, speed, or environmental impact—makes a big difference.”
One of the biggest hurdles startups face is securing capital. Investors have limited time and numerous options, so differentiation is vital. “It’s important to lead with a compelling story that shows tangible, long-term benefits,” she said. “Even if the projected gains take time, attaching clear, quantifiable outcomes to your pitch is essential.”
Sabira underscored the significance of private equity in advancing carbon removal and nature-based solutions. “Private equity is a powerful asset class, controlling trillions in global capital. By encouraging their portfolio companies to meet sustainability targets, private equity firms can make a major impact,” she explained.
She sees private equity continuing to diversify its carbon credit portfolios, especially with high-quality, long-term credits, as investors recognize the enduring value of sustainable projects.
As a new member of Wovoka’s Scientific Advisory Board, Sabira expressed her enthusiasm for contributing to the company’s mission. “I’m excited to be part of an innovative solution that approaches such a complex issue with a values-driven mindset,” she said. “Nature-based solutions are harder to implement and take longer, but their impact on local communities is profound. It’s a truly admirable approach.”
Sabira’s deep commitment to sustainable development and her passion for fostering meaningful solutions are evident in her work. Her involvement with Wovoka highlights her dedication to driving lasting, positive change in both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
COP 16 is a critical milestone for the global effort to protect biodiversity. As representatives from around the world gather in Cali, Colombia, the spotlight is on turning promises into concrete actions. Last year, leaders adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP 15 after years of negotiation and debate. This framework laid out an ambitious plan with 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. But agreeing on targets is only the first step—now, it’s time to see if countries are willing to take real, meaningful action to achieve them.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which began in 1992, has a long history of setting goals and creating protocols aimed at protecting the planet’s biological resources. Over the years, however, most of these goals have fallen short because of a lack of follow-through. The GBF is supposed to be different, but that will only be true if COP 16 goes beyond the usual rhetoric and makes bold decisions that lead to real results.
IPLCs should be front and center
The Kunming-Montreal Framework is built around a vision of “living in harmony with nature” by 2050. It aims to not only protect ecosystems but also to ensure that the benefits of biodiversity are shared fairly and equitably. This is why one of Wovoka’s top priorities is to make sure Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are front and center in all biodiversity efforts.
These communities are often the real stewards of nature, yet they’re the ones who get the least recognition and support. Despite managing some of the world’s richest ecosystems, IPLCs are frequently excluded from decision-making processes that directly impact their lands and livelihoods.
Wovoka believes that it’s time to flip this dynamic. IPLCs should not just be consulted, rather they should lead. This means rejecting the involvement of “carbon and conservation cowboys”—organizations that use conservation as an excuse to take over land and resources, often marginalizing the very communities that have kept these areas thriving for generations.
While making space for IPLCs in global conservation strategies is essential, it’s only part of the solution. To effectively support these communities, first, there is a need to address the gaps in measuring and valuing ecosystems. Many existing conservation models fail to capture the full worth of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Collecting accurate, on-the-ground data about the state of ecosystems is necessary to ensure that protection efforts are based on robust scientific data.
Biodiversity and Innovative Finance
Wovoka acknowledges that conducting thorough ground-truthing requires substantial resources. Traditional funding sources for conservation are no longer enough to support these complex efforts. There is a need to explore new, innovative financial mechanisms that can address biodiversity loss at the scale it needs.
Similar to carbon credits, biodiversity credits would allow businesses and governments to invest in the restoration and protection of ecosystems. These credits could become a powerful financial lever to meet the GBF’s goals while supporting sustainable development.
While Wovoka supports biodiversity credits as one such tool, we also recognize that for this financial mechanism to work, parties at COP 16 must establish a clear framework that sets clear standards and prevents abuse. The risk of “greenwashing”—where companies make false claims about their environmental impact—is high. To avoid this, the system must ensure that investments lead to measurable and verifiable improvements in biodiversity. At the same time, financial resources should flow to the countries and communities that need them most. If done right, biodiversity credits could help fill the funding gap and give countries the means to reach their targets.
Biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected
Another critical aspect that needs attention at COP 16 is the relationship between biodiversity loss and climate change. These two issues are deeply intertwined, yet they are often treated as separate problems.
The reality is that when forests, wetlands, and other natural areas are destroyed, we are not just harming biodiversity—we are also undermining the planet’s ability to regulate climate. This is why nature-based solutions like reforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable farming practices are crucial not only for climate action but also for conserving species and habitats, particularly in biodiversity hotspots across the globe. COP 16 must champion these solutions as part of an integrated strategy to address the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises effectively.
A lot is at stake
If leaders at COP 16 rise to the occasion, it could set a new standard for how nations tackle environmental challenges. But if they fail, the world risks losing more species and ecosystems, further destabilizing our planet. The stakes could not be higher and this meeting must go beyond making commitments on paper.
The world is watching. COP 16 cannot afford to be just another round of negotiations. It’s time to make the kind of transformative decisions that will shape the future of our planet’s biodiversity for decades to come.
Dr. Dixon T. Gevaña is a highly respected Professor in the College of Forest Financial Resources and a leading figure in the fields of social forestry, forest policy, and climate change mitigation. With over two decades of experience documenting carbon stocks in forests, he has been at the forefront of research on nature-based climate solutions. As Chair of the Agriculture and Forestry Division of the National Research Council of the Philippines and Director of the Forestry Development Center, Dr. Gevaña’s expertise is widely sought for policy advice on forest management and climate change.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gevaña has collaborated with civil society groups, NGOs, private sector, and local communities on forest conservation and climate action, emphasizing research-based recommendations that inform policy decisions. His work is primarily funded by international academic institutions and nonprofits, ensuring a global perspective in his research.
Read our interview with Dr. Gevaña in the article below!
In our interview, Dr. Gevaña shared his thoughts on the evolving challenges of climate change and his vision for nature-based solutions. With a career deeply rooted in forest management, Dr. Gevaña has focused much of his research on carbon stocks and blue carbon, documenting the crucial role forests play in mitigating climate change.
“I’ve always preferred focusing on mitigation,” he explained, “because while adaptation is important, reducing carbon emissions at the source—through projects like reforestation and forest protection—is key to slowing down climate change.”
His work extends beyond academia, where he collaborates with a range of stakeholders, from NGOs to local communities, to find sustainable solutions. “One of the biggest challenges we face is making carbon projects not only ecologically and economically feasible but also socially acceptable. It’s essential to engage communities from the start to ensure the success of these projects,” Dr. Gevaña noted.
A major aspect of Dr. Gevaña’s work is the integration of community development with forestry. He believes that community involvement is at the heart of sustainable conservation efforts, particularly in carbon projects. “When communities feel a sense of ownership, they are more committed to conservation efforts,” he said. Dr. Gevaña emphasized that carbon projects should not be viewed purely as business ventures but as opportunities to support both climate mitigation and local livelihoods.
He explained that successful carbon projects require thorough site assessments and recognition of local rights and cultural practices. “We need to balance scientific knowledge with the cultural beliefs and practices of the communities we work with,” Dr. Gevaña said. “That’s where you find the true success of these projects—when both science and tradition are respected.”
His work in this area highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, particularly in remote and indigenous communities. “Building trust and gaining the community’s commitment can take time, but it’s absolutely essential for long-term success.”
When asked about the challenges facing carbon projects, Dr. Gevaña highlighted the difficulties in finding suitable and sufficient land for high-quality carbon initiatives. “There’s now a subtle competition over limited spaces for a forest carbon project between the government and non-government or private sector target reforestation. We need more proactive policies and a roadmap to assure enough lands to accommodate good carbon projects without adding unnecessary regulatory layers.”
Despite criticisms that carbon credit projects can sometimes be seen as greenwashing, Dr. Gevaña is optimistic about their potential to drive real change. “There’s always criticism, but carbon credits, when done transparently, aligned with local community needs and aspirations, and with strong community involvement, are powerful tools for climate mitigation. The private sector can really push these projects forward, helping us reach net-zero targets while demonstrating corporate responsibility.”
Dr. Gevaña is excited to bring his expertise to Wovoka’s Scientific Advisory Board, particularly in developing projects that focus on nature-based solutions, such as mangrove conservation and carbon credit initiatives. “I’m thrilled to be part of a team that shares my vision for climate action,” he said. “Mangroves, in particular, offer incredible opportunities for carbon sequestration, but they also face unique challenges. It’s a complex, but rewarding area to work in.”
His final thoughts were centered on the need for community-driven conservation projects. “Comprehensive site assessments and strong community engagement are crucial to the success of any carbon project. We need to demonstrate that these projects work—not just for the environment, but for the people who depend on these ecosystems.”
Dr. Gevaña’s extensive experience and commitment to sustainable forestry make him an invaluable addition to Wovoka’s advisory board. His vision for socially responsible, community-centered carbon projects offers a pathway for meaningful climate action and long-term ecological balance.
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Wovoka, an emerging climate-tech company in Southeast Asia, proudly announces the successful close of an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, raising over 43 Million Philippine Pesos (>$750,000). This substantial investment will fuel Wovoka’s ongoing efforts to engage with women-led partner communities through nature-based carbon removal projects in at least three sites in the Philippines.
This funding round, supported by an enthusiastic group of environmentally-conscious investors, marks a significant milestone in Wovoka's mission to empower communities to grow sustainable forests through high-quality carbon credit projects.
Wovoka Philippines, Wovoka’s local entity in the country is majority-owned by Filipinas and guided by a scientific advisory board from the academia, non-government organizations, and industry sectors. Wovoka also has a completely local and women-dominated scientific team composed of foresters, environmental scientists, and marine scientists that conduct all meetings with partner communities using the same native language.
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Founded in 2022, Wovoka aims to restore the planet’s forests and conserve its biodiversity for future generations. Our focus on ecosystem restoration aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s recognition that it will be one of the top 5 largest emission reduction categories by 2030 and the largest carbon removal opportunity within that category.
Wovoka is a tech-enabled developer that seeks to de-risk projects at the earliest stage and then work with net zero corporate buyers, project financiers, and nature funds (like $650M+ Climate Asset Management by HSBC or $3B+ GenZero by Temasek) that want the 40-year carbon credit stream from the asset. Wovoka utilizes the latest in drone, remote-sensing, and mobile apps to effectively lower the cost of qualifying landowners’ projects and provide enhanced MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification).
Wovoka also does firsthand biodiversity and carbon stock assessments along with community consultations. These analyses help in identifying the drivers of deforestation and biodiversity loss and allow for planning how the project can scientifically address these issues. Their comprehensive approach to early-stage project de-risking ensures that their projects achieve the outcomes that investors and corporate buyers demand and moral duty requires.
Unlike many startups and project developers in the space, Wovoka is committed to moving away from traditional and often colonialist development approaches. “We take pride in our carbon project work that is done by the people, for the people, and benefits the people in the country of origin, strengthening both community and country ties,” Chief Operating Officer Tin Dalida said.
“The carbon markets–if done well–present an opportunity to properly compensate the stewards of the climate for future generations,” said Lee Pearson, CEO and Co-Founder of Wovoka. “These are the Indigenous Peoples groups and the People’s Organizations of the Philippines and across the Global South who have the knowledge and capacity to restore vital ecosystem services that we all depend on."
The investment will support the growth of the project development team and pilot innovative approaches in conducting scientific feasibility assessments. The fund will also support agroforestry and ecotourism social enterprise groups led by the local farmer organizations who occupy the land for restoration.
Wovoka’s Bicol IFM and ARR project is set to be registered under the joint VCS and CCBS certification before the end of the year.
Wovoka's successful funding round comes at a critical time when the urgency of climate action is recognized globally. By focusing on high-impact, scalable solutions, Wovoka is set to play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero targets through its community-grown canopies.
The company will open its next funding round to allow investment into early-stage project finance in 2025. Reach out to our CEO Lee Pearson to be involved (lee@wovoka.io).
Glenn S. Banaguas is a multi-awarded prolific scientist, science diplomat, educator, and one of the leading Asian experts on environment, climate change, and disaster risk resilience. Glenn is the youngest honoree of the most distinguished Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate in the field of Environment Conservation and Science Diplomacy, and the first Filipino Science Diplomat conferred as one of the Fellows by the prestigious Royal Society of Arts in the United Kingdom. Recently, he was also recognized as one of Asia’s Top 100 Scientists in the field of sustainability.
Glenn is the Founder of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI) known for its mission of “bringing science and diplomacy to the poorest communities”. ECCRI’s flagship program provides cutting-edge research, training, and capacity building to various stakeholders in the country from the local to national levels.
Glenn’s contributions also left a mark on corporate sustainability practices. As former Chief Resiliency and Sustainability Officer of the Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, he established a net zero emission roadmap by 2050 that is currently used by the aviation industry in the Philippines and other countries. His advisory work in environmental governance positions him as a leader in sustainable management and carbon reduction strategies.
During Glenn’s interview with Wovoka, he shared how he started the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI), a volunteer-driven organization that brings science to the people.
“I knew early on that I wanted to do research that is tangible to the poorest of communities in the country, but finding support for this kind of work was tough. Then, I saw the opportunity to involve my students who were eager and excited to the idea of traveling to different parts of the country to do science. Eventually, we grew in number and the organization became a training ground for young researchers. The majority of the members are young, not by chance but by choice. I’m passionate about passing on what I know to these future leaders, who are now witnessing firsthand the realities faced by our most vulnerable communities due to climate change.”
Since the organization started with student researchers, he had to provide hands-on training in climate modeling, interpreting climate data, and GIS mapping. Aside from the technical skills, he also discussed the socio-economic aspect of the research that they do. For Glenn, sharing the same values and long-term vision with his students was as important as the actual research work.
“At ECCRI, we operate under a simple belief: serving our people and the environment is, at its core, equivalent to serving a higher purpose. We travel across the country, bringing science to people’s doorsteps - whether they’re farmers, indigenous peoples, or those living in poverty. We do participatory action research to ensure that our solutions and policies are grounded on the lived experiences of the community.”
Because of Glenn’s participatory approach, ECCRI’s flagship program, Climate Smart Philippines was adopted by several government agencies from the national down to the local level. This initiative helped several cities to make strategic decisions centered on people, climate impacts, and adaptation.
“Before going to any area, particularly those inhabited by indigenous peoples, we take extra steps to better understand their culture and that’s by reaching out to tribal leaders first. For instance, during our first visit to an indigenous village in 2011, we learned the importance of adapting to their ways; we couldn't simply drive there unannounced. Instead, we prioritized building relationships—engaging in conversations, getting to know the community, and playing with the children to foster a sense of camaraderie before introducing our initiatives. Once we got their buy-in, we were able to get insights beyond our initial objectives. We learned about their perspectives and the context of their daily lives. Our aim has always been to assist in a manner that respects their culture and needs.”
Building on the importance of showing respect to indigenous and local communities, Glenn further underscored the integral role of strong leaders on the ground who facilitate the collaboration between them and the community.
He became candid when he said that before deciding to work with a community, he needs to see first that the leaders are directly involved in on-the-ground work.
“I make it a point not to proceed with a partnership if the people who are supposed to lead are not present. Our time and resources are limited, so we offer them to communities that strongly need and desire our help. To make our operations efficient, we go directly to decision-makers who can provide immediate feedback. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of proposing comprehensive assessments that might not align with a city’s actual needs.”
In reality, the role of strong leadership at the community level is no different from its role in a broader setting — the nascent but growing carbon credit industry in the Philippines.
Given the complex nature of carbon credits and their relative novelty to many lawmakers, the industry stands at a crossroads where strong and decisive leadership can catalyze its growth and ensure its alignment with the public's best interests.
“Only a few understand the dynamics of carbon credits. This is why it is important to have someone lobby for this among lawmakers. In doing so, it’s important to engage the scientists and specialists in community development to ensure that the law is well-informed.”
In the coming months, Glenn will join the rest of the Scientific Advisory Board members in providing technical support to Wovoka's project development process to ensure the integrity of the projects.
Hilary Stevens has established herself as a leading expert in coastal resilience, dedicating over 22 years to enhancing environmental sustainability and community engagement. As the current Coastal Resilience Senior Manager at Restore America’s Estuaries, Stevens leads the Blue Carbon National Working Group.
From 2001 to 2003, Hilary served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Palompon, Leyte, Philippines where she worked with local government units to protect mangroves, educate local school children about environmental issues, and encourage eco-tourism.
Hilary boasts a diverse expertise in legislative education, community practice enhancement, and coastal resilience. Over the years, she has made substantial contributions to shaping estuary protection policies and practices, impacting efforts nationally and globally.
In an interview with Wovoka, Stevens started by sharing an overview of the interesting work that she has been doing at Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE).
“Being Coastal Resilience Senior Manager is an enjoyable opportunity for me. Given the small size of our organization, my role is quite broad, requiring me to wear multiple hats and take on various responsibilities. Primarily, I lead the blue carbon program, which involves coordinating several projects across the U.S. Since we are actively working on developing methodologies for the conservation and restoration of tidal ecosystems, I collaborate a lot with researchers deployed in our sites and expand our networks both regionally and nationally.”
RAE is a national alliance of coastal conservation groups in the United States with a mission to protect and restore bays and estuaries. Its impact goes beyond the technical aspects of the work — the organization is an influential voice in advocating for science-based coastal restoration and policy to support coastal communities.
“We sit at the nexus of science, policy, finance, and program management aspects of conservation work. Our team operates at the intersection of these areas — managing programs and securing funding from foundations and federal agencies to support restoration projects and enhance understanding of their carbon implications.
My role requires me to be able to communicate with people in different spaces. That means I work with our biogeochemists in the field and also with folks in the policy space at the Capitol Hill. I take the collective wisdom of the team and bring it to policymakers to help them understand why blue carbon should be a national agenda.”
As a blue carbon specialist and subject matter expert working on legislative work, Stevens recognizes the immense value of integrating diverse disciplines to enrich dialogues that serve as the foundation for building important regulatory frameworks and mechanisms.
“I talk with lawyers a lot about certain policy issues. Being a subject matter expert has significantly shaped how other people in the space perceive me. I would say that my geology background has enabled me to effectively communicate with various researchers, as I can grasp the science as well as understand the concerns of scientists working in the field. This perspective helps me in directing the blue carbon program closer towards its mission.”
It was 15 years ago when Stevens first started hearing about blue carbon while she was supporting a coastal development project in West Africa and exploring how it could relate to the REDD+ initiative.
As there was already a growing consensus that tidal ecosystems are a powerhouse of carbon sequestration, it immediately caught her interest and eventually propelled her to find out how to best conserve these ecosystems.
“Since my first involvement in blue carbon work, the scientific community has gained a more detailed understanding of how carbon cycles through these systems. Our most recent initiative was developing methodologies to bring tidal ecosystems restoration to the carbon markets. Science evolved, but also necessarily, should the policy and finance aspects if we want to scale up our impacts. Now, blue carbon has become more well-known among folks like corporations and lawmakers who are normally not in this space.”
For Stevens, the importance of protecting blue carbon ecosystems like mangrove forests is easy to understand because of its huge ecological and social benefits.
“The fact that mangroves can mitigate climate change impacts is one reason why conservation is an important work to do. But aside from that, mangroves also benefit the community that live near them since mangroves stabilize the shoreline, reducing the risk of erosion, minimizing the wave energy that may damage any human asset, and serving as natural flood control.
Mangroves are also a nursery for all the juvenile fishes that live on the reefs. So you get a lot of different shellfish and fish species that spend their early days living in the mangroves until they are big enough to head out. If you want thriving marine systems, you need to have mangroves where they can grow safely. Stable fisheries and food security need mangroves.”
However, it is another avenue of her work to drive public interest and get political capital to get the buy-in of different stakeholders. Stevens shared that the challenge lies in braiding together different trains of thought so they can layout what type of support their organization needs and make a case as to why their work is worth supporting.
“Coastal restoration is hard to do and it is very expensive. The regulatory systems are there for a good reason but they make the work slow and challenging. If we can drive political will and reform outdated permitting systems in favor of restoration, it would be easier to bring revenue streams and generate a source of capital to fund this work.”
In the voluntary carbon market space, the take off of tidal ecosystem restoration projects face another layer of challenge. There are valid concerns regarding the permanence and additionality especially for REDD+ projects.
“Permanence is an important issue and it is an extremely difficult achievement to do anything in the coastal zone and have it last 100 years with a prospect of sea level rise and stronger storm surges in the future. We know that mangroves are inherently a bit more tolerant of saline conditions and it can handle some amount of inundation, but the present environmental conditions will change but we don’t know how much.”
At present, there is an ongoing dialogue between skeptics of the carbon market and groups trying to implement carbon removal projects. Skeptics are looking at the risk of greenwashing and of yet undeveloped systems being taken advantage of so they are calling for tight guardrails in the mechanisms for generating carbon credits.
On the other side are project developers who are already working in a difficult environment and calling for a middle ground where they can demonstrate the validity of their work without making it extra difficult and expensive.
“There is an inherent tension between project implementors who are hoping to reduce the challenges of getting into the market and the skeptics who are calling for a more robust structure in the market. And then there are groups sitting in the middle of this tension working to come up with a system that is not so onerous that it cannot be implemented but can stand the criticism of the skeptics.”
Despite the uncertainty that a warmer world poses for the longevity of mangrove conservation projects, Stevens pointed out that taking action to protect these ecosystems the right way is always a step in the right direction.
“With all the scrutiny against the carbon market, it is important to reiterate that mangrove conservation is always a win from the environmental perspective. When the next typhoon hits, a coast that has undergone restoration will be better off for it. It is always an improvement. So we will all benefit if mangrove conservation initiatives would get access to financing mechanisms whether it is capital generated through carbon credits or government or private funds.”
Naveen Lakshmipathy is the Senior Director for Finance & Strategy of EDF Renewables North America, a global renewable energy (RE) developer. His work is focused on financing renewable energy projects and bringing in sources of institutional equity capital. He worked with pension funds, asset managers, infrastructure funds, banks, and insurance companies that are looking to invest their capital in long-term stable cash flow-generating ESG investments.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Economy from the University of California Berkeley, a Masters Degree in Public Policy from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Since working with grassroots organizations in India to build rural energy enterprises, Naveen sought a career that advances market-based approaches that finance and scale such enterprises globally. His motivation lies in bringing in new sources of capital for the development of sustainable energy infrastructure solutions.
During our interview with Naveen, we touched on the challenges faced by nature-based solution projects in terms of financing. Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) projects are one of the mitigation options with the highest potential contribution to net emission reductions by 2030 together with solar and wind energy. However, such mitigation options do not attract the same level of investments as renewables.
We asked Naveen why such disparity exists and how it can be mitigated.
“There are parallels that we can draw in terms of renewable energy financing to understand how to mobilize capital to get early-stage projects off the ground to the point where they can start to sustainably generate carbon credits. I think that part of it is going to involve the investigation of financial structures like forward purchase agreements or carbon streaming contracts. These are types of structures that are just developing in the market right now. It’s just a matter of creating bankable offtake structures that will go a long way in giving investors the confidence to invest in early-stage NbS carbon removal projects.”
For Naveen, bridging the gap in institutional resources is a matter of derisking nature-based carbon removal projects.
“Nature-based solutions are the most economically viable and have the best return on investment among any carbon removal methodology. It does not take a special person to be passionate about the restoration of our environment. However, for investors to pay attention, addressing the regulatory and technical risks is imperative before turning them into bankable investment opportunities,” said Naveen.
In connection with Wovoka’s efforts, one important element of derisking NbS projects is ensuring that our partner communities are equipped with the technical know-how and can mobilize for a large-scale reforestation project.
“The lack of institutional resources means there is also often a lack of technical support that community-based organizations would need in conceptualizing NbS projects. Wovoka’s efforts to work directly with the People’s Organizations is a step forward towards reducing project risks.”
As a member of Wovoka’s Scientific Advisory Board, Naveen is excited about the team’s grassroots approach to developing the project.
“During my time with Impact Carbon, I had the pleasure of building financial models for clean cookstoves for grassroots initiatives in Indonesia. What excites me the most is the chance to continue this kind of meaningful work with Wovoka.
I believe in our shared mission of creating sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and communities. Being part of a team committed to making a real difference is incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to contribute to our future projects.”
Wovoka is proud to introduce Giniel Mae “Ginny” Tiongson as its Director for Biodiversity and Community Development. Tiongson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the Ateneo De Manila University and a Master’s Degree in Marine Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman. For a year, she led the community engagement and regulatory compliance efforts of Wovoka’s projects as a Carbon Development Associate.
Through this interview, Tiongson shared how her diverse background and interests in community development, forestry, and marine science came together in her work at Wovoka.
Learn about her exciting career journey through the interview story below!
Since childhood, Tiongson has always had an affinity for nature. She was born and raised on the coasts of the mountainous region of Mindoro surrounded by forests and the sea. Therefore, her choice to pursue an environmental career is no surprise. But for Tiongson, the wake-up call came during her undergraduate years when she became aware of the modern challenges presented by climate change.
“I remember feeling helpless after listening to a climate change talk that I joined in 2015, which kind of cemented my life’s mission to work in the field of environment. Then, I had a heart-to-heart conversation with our department head who later became my mentor.”
As early as her undergraduate years, Tiongson had exposure to fieldwork, visiting mangrove forests in Palawan for a sea level rise mitigation project and doing a study on benthic ecosystems as impacted by the coastal development in Puerto Galera, Mindoro.
She was also one of Georgetown University Impacts Program fellows in El Nido, Palawan. The fellowship program provided her a lot of immersive experiences in sustainable tourism and business models, as well as community and stakeholder engagement.
One of the highlights of the fellowship was organizing the Sustainable Tourism Summit that aimed to foster a collaboration among the local government and well-represented stakeholders of the tourism sector in El Nido and create an avenue to tackle and address the tourism and environment issues at the grassroots level.
The event's output was a set of agreeable action points that would steer El Nido toward sustainable development. Eventually, it was these kinds of on-the-ground experience that empowered her to become a part of the solution to the crisis threatening the planet.
“Learning from my mentors in the field and hearing the stories of the community immensely helped me cope and opened my eyes to the ways that I can turn an otherwise paralyzing situation into an opportunity to contribute to mitigating this climate crisis that we have now,” Tiongson shared.
For three years, Tiongson held various roles related to biodiversity and community engagement as an environmental scientist. She experienced on-the-ground planning, surveying, and mapping of restoration work under the National Greening Program by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as biodiversity assessment of wildlife in some of the protected areas in Mindoro.
Eventually, she found herself in the field of marine biology, where she studied marine invertebrates ecology, and was also involved in coral, and harmful algal bloom research.
Her diverse interests and training in conservation, restoration, and resource management helped her develop a transdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. Environmental issues are never just an environmental problem, but rather multifaceted.
“I believe in a transdisciplinary and collaborative approach to biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and climate change mitigation. Therefore, I work with people from different disciplines to come up with comprehensive solutions and informed decisions regarding matters of the environment.”
In January 2024, Tiongson joined the Smithsonian Institution Marine Station at Ft. Pierce in Florida, one of the most prestigious research institutes in the world. As a Research Fellow, she studies coral diseases that affect reef health across the Caribbean region through a chemical ecology perspective.
“Our findings can provide key insights into the impact of coral diseases and other stressors on our reefs. Understanding the complex interactions at the molecular level that affect coral reefs may inform future reef management and conservation efforts. These ecological and scientific concepts may also be applied in other marine and terrestrial ecosystems.”
One of the many things that Tiongson is learning from her fellowship stint is how the culture of collaboration works in biodiversity management which she hopes to replicate once she returns to the Philippines.
She now recognizes that while it can be challenging to communicate scientific concepts to non-technical audiences and to translate scientific findings into policies that engage communities, it is certainly achievable. “I am learning a lot about how Florida conserves its natural resources. I love the confluence among the government, research institutions, and non-government organizations and I think they are doing an incredible job of protecting their environment.”
Currently, the Philippines is still in the process of developing national strategies for its climate change mitigation process and guidelines for the carbon industry. “This would be a perfect time to work collaboratively with different stakeholders so we can come up with solutions that will generate results at scale.”
At Wovoka, Ginny Tiongson handles both the science and community development aspects of reforestation work that align well with her aspirations and advocacy. But for her, the community work is what inspires her to champion Wovoka’s initiatives in environmental conversation and climate justice.
“I firmly believe that successful conservation efforts are not only ecological but also deeply socio-economic. They must involve and prioritize the voices of communities that are most vulnerable to climate change. My years of experience in doing reforestation work taught me that conservation and development would never be feasible without the buy-in of local and indigenous communities — so involving them in these endeavors is highly crucial.”
Tiongson also shared that she finds value in having an interdisciplinary mix of people on the team working with the community who are equipped with local ecological knowledge and have a long experience in doing reforestation.
“It is such a delight to work with our team and our partner POs because everyone brings in so many valuable perspectives and contributions to the table.”
When asked about her hopes for the future of Southeast Asia, Ginny Tiongson emphasized the environmental importance of the region. “Southeast Asia harbors so much beauty and richness, yet we are also losing so much at an unprecedented rate due to decades of destructive extraction.”
Tiongson also recognized the need for everyone to be involved in overcoming the climate change and biodiversity loss problem. “I hope that environmental managers, project developers, businesses, organizations, and the government will go beyond the business-as-usual approach to save and protect the environment.
She also mentioned that a paradigm shift in resource utilization and management is needed for a sustainable world. “We need to realize that the benefits we gain from nature do not necessarily have to be extractive. We can place value on intangible things often taken for granted, such as various ecosystem benefits , and a high-quality environment which are all essential to our well-being.”
Ginny Tiongson laid out her immediate plans as Director of Biodiversity and Community Development. In general, she wants Wovoka to set an example for other project developers who are doing the ecosystem approach to restoration, especially in the Philippines.
She emphasized the value of having science, community empowerment, and sustainability principles at the heart of any restoration initiative.
”I am committed to ensuring that our project development is grounded in robust science and sensible environmentalism, considering ecological principles along with social and economic factors. I believe that integrating diverse ecosystem and socio-economic benefits is crucial for creating high-integrity, high-value carbon projects.
We are also eager to explore the use of biodiversity indices to demonstrate and track the effectiveness of our restoration strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that communities and natural ecosystems are sustainable and thriving, rather than merely surviving.” Tiongson shared.
In the next months, the team will be fully engaged in writing the Project Design Document necessary to verify Wovoka’s Camarines Norte project. Tiongson will lead the team’s engagement with the community, science advisors, and other relevant stakeholders.
“However, I must also admit that undertaking all these things is rather expensive and tedious, with a huge funding gap especially in the early stages of project development. So I am reaching out to investors and partners who are willing to collaborate with us in achieving our goals.”
Together with Wovoka’s COO Tin Dalida and Capalonga Mangrove Development Association President Ramil Raviz, an active leader of one of our partner communities, Tiongson is scheduled to fly to Kenya to attend a blue carbon training hosted by Fair Carbon.
For three months, Wovoka had been all hands on deck in conducting a feasibility study for a restoration project spanning approximately 3,000 hectares in Camarines Norte, Philippines. This project is based on the tenurial instruments of four People’s Organizations (POs), each holding individual lease contracts with the government.
This article narrates the Wovoka team’s experience while spearheading a consortium-based carbon credit project in the Philippines. We wrote this article to get the attention of project developers working on restoration projects in the Philippines and policymakers who are at the formative stages of crafting a regulatory framework for carbon credit initiatives.
Keep reading to learn about Wovoka’s community-driven approach, what it takes, how we do it, and why.
For context, Camarines Norte is a coastal province located on the eastern side of Luzon. Travel from Metro Manila to Camarines Norte takes roughly 10 hours by road or 1.5 hours by air, with our team based in the capital. We liaise with PO leaders via a Facebook Messenger group chat, coordinating site visits and scheduling virtual meetings.
Like many areas in the Philippines, Camarines Norte faces challenges with internet connectivity, complicating communications, and the use of digital tools like Zoom or Google Meet for online gatherings among PO members.
Mapping the project site is a major component of the feasibility study. This allows for identifying land cover and specific plantable sites within the area. A significant hurdle the team had to overcome was conveying technical information to PO members, who vary in their understanding of the subject, through virtual meetings. Our primary concern with this setup is the risk of losing crucial information in the process.
Wovoka's Head of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) shared how he took extra steps to ensure that the PO members have a clear understanding of the task. “We devoted extra time talking with POs using the local language, even if it meant talking to them one by one and repeating the same instructions. We also conducted an in-person mapping activity to gather specific information from the POs during site visits.”
Collecting geotagged images in the field is also another major part of the mapping process. These images would serve as sample datasets for an AI-based algorithm that would create an automated classification of satellite maps and, ultimately identify the plantable sites for the whole project.
Based on our interview with the PO leaders, each of our partner POs faced challenges, including a lack of mobile devices and familiarity with geotagging apps and map reading.
One of our recent MRV solutions was setting up a data collection tool using free software that can be used by the POs even without the internet. This solution was more user-friendly and immediately addressed connectivity issues.
No carbon credit project can start without established land rights. A key legal requirement that we needed to secure before starting the project was the tenurial instrument, which ensures that our partner PO has the authority to implement changes in land use or forestry practices, leading to carbon credit generation.
In the case of the Philippines, this is the Community-Based Forest Management Agreement, or CBFMA, issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which grants a 25-year lease to the POs and renewable for another 25 years.
The process of securing land tenure requires PO members to deal with government bureaucracy. This involves frequent travel to various government offices that is both time-consuming and costly and also results in lost income as members have to take time away from their usual jobs.
Ginny Tiongson, Director of Biodiversity and Community Development, spearheaded efforts to streamline the renewal process. “The main challenge was gathering all the necessary documents from DENR since each one also has pre-requisite documents that can only be granted by other government agencies.”
With no centralized repository for documents, physical legwork was necessary to ensure that our papers were moving. To expedite the process, Wovoka hired a local focal person early this year to assist the POs in procuring documents.
“At the end of the day, it all boils down to the willingness to exhaust all options and channels available to us to make the process pick up the pace,” Tiongson shared.
Along the way, we learned the value of being proactive and gained a better appreciation of having a good working relationship with government offices at all levels to ensure timely and continuous progress in the long process of regulatory compliance.
Since we are working with the community, one of the most critical aspects of the project was ensuring that the POs clearly understood the project's objectives and risks, given that the project was in the feasibility stage and there was potential non-continuation due to factors beyond our control.
The concepts of carbon credits and the voluntary carbon market were new to everyone involved. We made it a point to simplify these concepts during site visits by developing infographic materials using the local language to make these concepts more accessible.
Transparency is paramount. We believe that our team's presence in the Philippines and shared cultural background with the community made it easier to communicate and build trust with our partners.
We kept open lines of communication, shared all documentation materials from the project financier, and shared honest projections of the reforestable area and what the realistic income might be.
As a result, out of the nine POs that we reached out to, we went forward with only four, which goes to show how these decisions and projects are not easy to make for a community if done seriously.
Since the implementation of carbon credit projects in the country is still in the early stages, there are no robust regulations in place yet to ensure compliance with international standards.
For example, one of Verra’s new requirements is having an extended permanence monitoring of at least 40 years for carbon credit projects, which presents a challenge to POs who have fewer years left in their tenure. Wovoka is actively collaborating with the Forest Management Bureau to plan the next steps in our regulatory compliance.
Being at this stage of the development of the carbon credit industry in the country, we recognize the tremendous potential in store for us. We are making a huge impact by collaborating with the right government agencies and going straight to the community to introduce Wovoka and the concept of carbon credits.
Looking back, everyone always told us that carbon project development is difficult and many advised us not to pursue it, and instead to go for the SaaS or marketplace solutions — but the science is clear that project development is the core problem of this market. So we let the non-profits and international finance institutions develop sales and monitoring tools, while we focus on what matters.
The reality is that venture capital today largely overlooks the core issue of mitigating risks associated with early-stage project development. Wovoka, a small team of 9, intends to focus on this critical aspect. We invite others to do the same and share notes to ensure that we have any hope of achieving the IPCC target of more than 3 Gigatonnes of nature-based solutions.
We do not have a scalable software solution to market to investors, but our commitment to refine and implement a community-based approach in our carbon projects is how we intend to grow roots and drive the most meaningful impact. We are convinced that this strategy offers greater sustainability over the long term.
Last March 14, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) released the Clean Economy Agreement, which could help its fourteen partner countries catalyze a $10-15B investment for carbon removal, including the Philippines.
The IPEF is an initiative launched by the United States in May 2022 together with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, which represent 40% of global GDP and 28% of global goods and services trade. This framework aims to boost economic activity and promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region.
Its most recent collaborative effort is the Clean Economy Agreement (CEA), which aims to mobilize climate-related solutions for various sectors. The main areas of cooperation include energy security and transition, sustainable environment solutions, and innovative carbon capture and removal technologies among others.
This agreement sets a collective goal of raising at least US $10-15 billion in investment for carbon removal in the region by 2030 that will support and drive the development of carbon markets, financing, and public-private partnerships.
For carbon markets, there is an interest among IPEF partners to study existing regional carbon market priorities with the end goal of identifying strategies that will boost the enabling conditions for its widespread development.
The agreement also encourages public- and private-sector entities to invest and implement high-quality mitigation activities such as those implemented under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to boost a credible supply and demand in international carbon markets.
Additionally, the CEA also has a provision for the sustainable management of forests and other natural ecosystems. Some of the specific points in the agenda include identifying drivers of deforestation, promoting legally harvested timber, and enhancing forest restoration initiatives.
These efforts are part of a broader move towards a clean economy, which puts a spotlight on the role of ecosystem-based approaches for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
As the upcoming IPEF ministerial meeting on June 6 in Singapore approaches, both the scientific community and development sectors eagerly await concrete outcomes of this ambitious framework along with potential opportunities that will emerge. This meeting also coincides with the inaugural IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum which unites major investors, governments, and project developers and aims to facilitate investment opportunities.
Within the broad objectives outlined by IPEF, there remains unanswered questions specific to its impact on nature restoration. For Wovoka, we are most concerned about some clear gaps involving:
The IPEF’s CEA signifies a collective ambition of pioneering a cleaner and more resilient future for the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, these large investments can jumpstart substantial progress for carbon removal initiatives and development of carbon markets in the region.
However, the path towards realizing these goals is complex and multifaceted, which require clear strategies to ensure equitable transition for all. Ultimately, the success of the solutions that will come out of this agreement will not be measured by the investments it attracts or the carbon it removes but by its ability to protect and restore the natural world upon which all life depends.
Wovoka is proud to announce that Celestine Marie “Tin” Dalida officially joined us as Chief Operations Officer (COO) in November 2023! Tin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the Ateneo De Manila University and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Before serving as COO, she was Wovoka’s Senior Carbon Development Associate and led the pipeline of the company’s carbon projects in the Philippines.
Previously, Tin served as Operations Manager in the Carbon Commodities Group working on the renewables and electric vehicles sector. She is also an active member of the technical research groups at the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines Diliman doing blue carbon conservation projects involving mangroves and seagrass environments.
Being one of the few researchers in the emerging field of blue carbon, Tin shares a few stories about her work and what excites her the most about working at Wovoka. Get to know Wovoka’s newest Chief Operations Officer by reading the interview story below!
For many people, pursuing a career in climate is not common, especially in the Philippines. When asked what sparked her interest in climate-related work, Tin went back to her college experience and interests as she was growing up.
“Since I grew up in the city, I do not have access to a lot of nature. Instead, it’s by watching National Geographic which exposed me to nature and wildlife. I also went to a science high school which fueled my inquisitive nature. Still, it was only during college when I was studying Environmental Science that my passion for the environment began.”
In 2013, Tin was one of the only fifteen students in their batch who chose Environmental Science as a major. “I always wanted to do something that most people do not want to pursue. I saw that there was a lack of interest in environmental-related work during our time and so I thought, ‘If I won’t go for it, who will?’ Luckily, more and more people are paying attention to the climate crisis now when we need it the most.”
Among the few environmental scientists in the country, there is an even smaller number of scientists whose research is focused on blue carbon systems. Blue carbon refers to organic carbon sequestered in coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass areas. The global consensus is that blue carbon systems are crucial natural resources that can significantly contribute to the road to net zero.
For Tin, her interest in blue carbon started over six years ago when she experienced long hours in the field, technical laboratory work, and community engagement. “Since 2017, my work primarily involved quantifying how much carbon is stored in specific mangrove and seagrass areas. This line of work involved a lot of field and lab work. Some days I’ll be freediving to collect seagrass samples and encountering sea snakes along the way. Some days I’ll just be in the lab for 12 hours straight processing my soil samples. It is a mixture of adventure and routine and that is what hooked me into research work. I loved it then and I still love it now.”
While her interest in blue carbon materialized with her exciting research experience, the positive societal impact of her research is what kept her going. “I love what I do because it reminds me of how much I do not know about the world so this is always going to be a continuous learning process. I also believe that this is the best way to bridge science to people and to make a difference — however cliche that sounds.”
Furthermore, Tin reflected on how carbon research can help address climate problems. “I have always believed that we can manage only what we can measure. When we know just how much good or damage a certain thing can do, we increase our chances of successfully tackling it,” she added.
Currently, the company has a pipeline of restoration projects in the Philippines and a lot of groundwork will start early next year. Tin finds motivation in Wovoka’s initiatives in the Philippines.
“I am very much looking forward to bringing a restoration project to fruition. We're charting new territory in the country, so we're figuring things out as we progress. Yet I am optimistic that with a talented team like Wovoka, we will significantly enhance our ability to overcome these challenges and complexities. Hopefully, we can also serve as a role model and help others make impactful projects as well.”
In addition to the work being done in the Philippines, she also believes that Wovoka is capable of expanding its operations to the whole of Southeast Asia. “Southeast Asia is so beautiful and our natural resources have so much carbon potential. I am hopeful that we can develop high-quality projects that will protect and restore our environment. After all, these projects will benefit the community.”
In the coming months, Wovoka is set to launch the second phase of our carbon project in Camarines Norte. We are also planning to conduct feasibility studies on new project opportunities in the Philippines by mid-year. Tin will be leading a growing team of scientists dedicated to the early-stage development of carbon credit projects for the voluntary carbon market.
Our goal is to collaborate with land managers in the Philippines who are keen on transforming degraded land into thriving ecosystems, supported financially by net zero corporations from abroad. We are confident that our local Filipino team can develop some of the most integrity-driven projects in the international voluntary carbon market. This initiative will bring the benefits of climate-focused finance to communities in our home country.
Are you interested in leveraging carbon finance to restore local ecosystems? Reach out to tin@wovoka.io to learn how our team can assist you in this endeavor.
Wovoka is proud to announce that we were recently accepted into Phase 1 of the Seed To Carbon Forest Accelerator Program, run by US-based Terraformation. This program is a biodiversity-focused carbon-funded forest accelerator that aims to create community-based carbon projects, focusing on nature-based climate solutions to restore forests.
Wovoka is joined by four other groups from the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Zealand. Among the participants, Wovoka stands out as the only consortium composed of four distinct community groups working on a reforestation project.
“This cohort brings together a range of talented forestry organizations who believe that we can, and we must, solve climate change. In addition to creating employment and ecosystem services, forests represent our most proven and scalable solution. That is why they are our best hope,” says Yishan Wong, CEO of Terraformation.
During Phase 1, Wovoka’s carbon team will get remote access to resources, mentorship, and training across various topics that will be valuable for Wovoka’s carbon project implementation.
This exciting opportunity comes with a significant amount of work but our carbon team is eager to meet program deliverables with the support of Terraformation.
“I am thrilled that we've been accepted into the accelerator program! I am really excited to know more about the carbon project development process as well as learn from more experienced restorationists all over the world,” says Celestine Dalida, Wovoka’s Senior Carbon Development Associate.
The accelerator program is designed so that the carbon projects can maximize long-term impact (40+ years) and community engagement. The opportunity to get hands-on training from forest experts furthers Wovoka’s mission of creating community-grown sustainable forests in Southeast Asia.
Wovoka’s pioneer carbon project is in Camarines Norte, Philippines. We have partnered with four People’s Organizations (POs) from various municipalities to reforest more than 1000 hectares of land that is composed of a mix of terrestrial and blue carbon ecosystems.
These lands underwent deforestation and land use conversion in the past decades, leading to the loss of habitats for biodiverse flora and fauna in the region. Once restored, these sites are promising biodiverse nature reserves that have the capacity to lock away additional carbon emissions from the atmosphere and generate high-quality carbon credits.
Furthermore, Wovoka’s projects are also designed to promote sustainable land use practices among its PO partners' communities and empower them to take an active role in preventing illegal logging and harvesting of trees.
Wovoka co-founder Lee Pearson also emphasized the community-driven approach followed by the company’s carbon projects.
“At Wovoka, we are different by design. Our expert scientific team is 100% based in the Philippines, where our projects are currently located. We exclusively develop projects with our communities at the lowest overhead cost, such that the majority of the credit revenue funds the people of the community and the experts in the country who make it happen.”
Through nature-based projects, Wovoka’s goal is to help Camarines Norte restore their forests which can provide food security, livelihood opportunities, and ecosystem services to the people of the region.
One of the main deliverables for Phase 1 is a complete feasibility study that allows Wovoka to seek additional funding and carbon verification for the next stages of our carbon project.
Wovoka’s Carbon Development Associate Ginny Tiongson shares her expectations during Phase 1. “I am excited to do the feasibility study and learn from the process as we work closely with the POs. Our work with Terraformation will not only empower our partner communities but also contribute to our overarching goal of environmental conservation and sustainable development in the region.”
We are currently focusing our efforts on getting this accomplished over the next ten weeks. Wovoka is composed of team members who possess specialized expertise in Geographic Information Systems, financial modeling, and legal matters, all of which are critical components in ensuring the successful completion of the feasibility study.
Wovoka is targeting to conduct a joint site assessment in Camarines Norte with Terraformation after Phase 1 to scope the possibility of getting the project to the next phase of the accelerator program.
However, nothing is stopping Wovoka from looking for more opportunities to benefit the community. “After Phase 1, we will work with our financing partners to find the best deal for our partner POs, ensuring they keep the majority of the credit revenue and have early community investment upfront in livelihoods. We do not want them to wait to see the benefits of protecting and enhancing their forest for a carbon project,” Pearson shared.
In the next months, Wovoka will be in constant communication with the PO leaders, concerned government agencies, scientists, and stakeholders to meet all required permits and legal documents before implementing the project on the ground.
Early this year, Wovoka already met with Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla to discuss the project. Governor Padilla was highly supportive of Wovoka’s efforts to drive restoration and protection efforts in Camarines Norte, especially in the neighboring areas of Bicol Natural Park affected by deforestation.
“I am thankful that Wovoka chose Camarines Norte as their pioneer reforestation project site. This will benefit our people, environment, and our planet as we join hands in our initiatives for sustainable development and to stop climate change. Rest assured that we will extend our support and resources in any way we can,” Governor Padilla said via interview.
We are also in the process of recruiting members for an independent scientific board with diverse backgrounds in the fields of marine science, forestry, and sustainable development. They will play a crucial role in guiding the development of our carbon projects ensuring that our methods and operations are done with scientific and social integrity.
If you are interested and qualified to be part of this group or willing to nominate a potential candidate, fill out this application form.
Landholders, either owners or those who have tenure over lands, are major players in the carbon market industry. Every nature-based carbon credit starts with hectares of forest or coastal land that can originate carbon reduction or removal projects. These projects are nature-based solutions that can be scaled up by conserving upland terrestrial forests or coastal wetlands.
Typically, landholders can sell carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market where any institution, business, or individual can purchase credits to offset their emissions.
If you own or hold tenurial rights to a sizable land and are interested in contributing to sustainable development and achieving net-zero emissions goals, keep reading! This article explores the advantages of selling carbon credits for landholders and highlights key factors one should consider before getting involved in a carbon project.
Aside from the ecological benefits of nature-based carbon credit projects, they also have positive economic and social impacts.
1. Increased revenue for landholders
Carbon credit projects may offer the opportunity to diversify income sources. This financial boost can be particularly advantageous for those with large tracts of land, turning land properties into both ecological and economic assets.
Every ton of sequestered carbon dioxide and equivalent (CO2-eq) through carbon projects is called the carbon credit. In the last three to four years, the demand for carbon credits has increased, especially credits from nature-based projects.
Since the voluntary carbon market is unregulated, the price of carbon credits may vary over a wide range depending on project type and size, vintage, quality, emission reduction methodology, and beyond-carbon value. According to the World Bank, forest-based carbon credits are generally attractive among buyers due to their large co-benefits that are more visible than climate change mitigation.
A UN-REDD Programme report estimates that the average price of REDD+ or forestry and land-use carbon projects was 3.9 USD/tCO2e in 2019 and increased to 4.7 USD/tCO2e in 2021. As companies race to decarbonize, funding for genuine emission reductions may drive the carbon credit price to increase to 20-50 USD/tCO2e by 2030 and will keep rising until 2050.
Through the sale of carbon credits, landholders can earn a stream of revenue that can be reinvested into properties or other ventures throughout the carbon project. However, it is worth noting that certain procedures have to be followed before a nature-based carbon project can generate tradable carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market.
Several non-profit organizations like Verra and Gold Standard assess and certify the integrity of voluntary offsets against a set of criteria following the industry standard. This is why implementing a carbon credit project needs to be based on local knowledge and best practices as dictated by science.
Because of the increasing demand for nature-based carbon credits, both their economic and ecological benefits offer a strategic avenue for landholders to contribute significantly to global climate solutions. This positions landholders as key players in fostering sustainability and biodiversity while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.
2. Community involvement and job creation
Carbon offsetting projects often extend beyond the realm of individual landholders. These initiatives frequently involve collaborative efforts with local communities, engaging them in technical training such as tree planting, seed banking maintenance, and project monitoring.
Members of the community will also benefit from paid jobs needed during the project like an operations manager, administrative aide, bookkeeper, plantation supervisors, and forest patrollers. There is also an opportunity among the youth to learn through the hands-on use of technology during the geotagging and drone monitoring activities of the project.
These activities develop skills and experience that are in demand in the forestry industry or for commercial timber production.
3. Sustainable land management for the community and its future generations
Taking part in carbon offset initiatives motivates landholders to implement sustainable land management techniques.
For mangrove restoration projects, aqua-silviculture farms become another source of livelihood for the community. Healthy mangroves serve as spawning and nursery sites for various fish and crustacean species and may contribute to improved fish production outside the protected area over a decade.
Similar to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), the closure of mangroves protected by a carbon credit project may support fish stocks and fishery stability. Implementing a no-take zone in protected areas allows the settlement of juveniles that eventually spill over adjacent sites as they mature.
Non-timber forest products like vanilla, fruits, and nuts can also be commercially produced while preserving and protecting the trees. One case is the Mindanao Tree Planting Program for Our Climate and Communities Project or MinTrees Project which developed a long-term sustainable rural program with cacao growers as part of their ARR project. Through carbon credits, forest protection offers sustainable means to gain immediate and long-term environmental and economic benefits.
For landholders who have at least 1000 hectares of land, originating a carbon credit project is feasible. These are the types of land that can undergo restoration and produce carbon credits.
1. Tropical upland forests
Tropical forests are invaluable carbon sinks that account for 40% of the global terrestrial carbon sink and 55% of global forest aboveground carbon stock. Forests that have undergone major denudation in the past years or have mostly shrubs or grasslands as land cover are considered plantable and therefore can be reforested.
There is a huge benefit in restoring upland forests. Aside from their role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, tropical forests also have a large array of co-benefits.
Tropical forests are natural barriers to the effects of weather and climate disturbance. They also provide ventilation from intense heat, maintain structural integrity, and reduce the amount of flooding in lowlands due to their high water retention.
These ecosystem functions place tropical forests at the forefront of long-term sustainable solutions for climate change.
2. Coastal mangrove and seagrass areas
Mangrove forest restoration is also a key solution for climate change mitigation. Coastal areas can serve as planting sites for a variety of mangrove species when the hydrodynamic conditions of the coast are suitable to sustain mangrove growth. Restoration efforts may focus on the replanting of areas that were previously occupied by mangroves, expanding existing mangrove stands, or converting adjacent land uses, such as fishponds, into mangrove sites.
Mangroves are key species in carbon credit projects as they are potent carbon sinks. In terms of capacity, mangrove ecosystems sequester five times as much organic carbon as tropical upland forests. This stored carbon is also locked away from the atmosphere for as long as 5000 years, proving the permanence of mangrove restoration projects. Southeast Asia hosts the largest and most diverse mangrove forests in the world, but they are also facing the most extensive mangrove loss.
Given their huge carbon sequestration capacity, restoring Southeast Asia’s vast and diverse mangrove forests becomes all the more imperative to fight climate change for the benefit of future generations.
Beyond carbon, a mangrove restoration carbon credit project also provides other ecosystem services. Coasts that are made resilient by mangroves are less prone to the impacts of climate change like rising sea levels, eroding coasts, worsening storm surges, and water quality degradation.
Therefore, landholders may be able to pursue both long-term environmental and economic resilience through a carbon credit project that aims to restore healthy coastal ecosystems.
3. Agricultural and agroforestry lands
Mixed forest and agricultural lands can also originate carbon credit projects. Integrating trees with crops sustainably serves as a carbon sequestration mechanism while maintaining the agricultural productivity of the land.
In agroforestry carbon credit projects, fruit-bearing trees are planted with native tree species to maximize land use. This approach enhances crop yield and diversity which offers a variety of income sources for the landholder. Agroforestry projects also provide a range of ecosystem services like improved soil health and water regulation that contribute to the overall health of the environment, which can be beneficial for the communities. These environmental and social benefits make agroforestry projects sustainable.
When considering participation in carbon offsetting projects, careful consideration of several factors must be done. Assess the eligibility of your land, understand project requirements, and seek expert guidance to navigate potential challenges.
If the land is collectively owned through a tenurial instrument, reaching a mutual decision among community members is pivotal for project success. The project should also be aligned with the organization’s land management goals and ecological values.
The main product of carbon credit projects is one thing: sequestered carbon. As such, since reforestation efforts involve non-consumptive practices, activities like timber harvest during the contract period can decrease carbon sequestration rates and adversely impact the project outcome.
Lastly, developing a carbon credit project requires technical preparations like conducting a feasibility study, carbon modeling, mapping, etc. Therefore, landholders may collaborate with project developers with a team of professional experts who are capable of determining the strengths and weaknesses of a potential carbon credit project site. Through this partnership, a benefit-sharing agreement can be established between the community and the developer, ensuring both parties receive equitable shares from the carbon credit incentives.
Recently, Wovoka just concluded the feasibility study of its consortium project in Camarines Norte joined by four People's Organizations (POs). These organizations work closely with our carbon development team to develop the blue carbon and upland terrestrial carbon credit project sites.
During our discussions with the POs, a common motivation for participating in carbon crediting projects is the pursuit of improved and sustainable revenue streams for their communities over the long term. Additionally, there is a strong willingness to rehabilitate areas that have undergone extensive deforestation due to years of illegal logging.
However, several challenges have been identified by the POs including natural disasters, illegal tree and mangrove harvesting for charcoal production and timber sales, mining-related waste, and inadequate funding.
Wovoka plays a significant role in addressing some of these challenges and aims to reach agreements with community members by emphasizing the vital importance of non-consumptive forest usage within carbon crediting projects.
We are currently seeking landholders in Southeast Asia, both individuals and community-led groups, who are interested in originating afforestation, restoration, or land-use projects. Our initiatives focus on community-based climate action, aiming to maximize benefits for local communities through engagement, capacity-building, and collaboration.
If you wish to get involved, answer this short questionnaire for a rapid feasibility assessment of your land to generate carbon credits.
Reach out to Celestine Dalida, Wovoka’s Chief Operations Officer, at tin@wovoka.io for more information.
At Wovoka, our mission is to empower large-scale landowners in Southeast Asia to rejuvenate nature by originating high-quality nature-based carbon credit projects. In order to push our goals forward, we partner with mission-aligned organizations in the voluntary carbon market that can support our stakeholders.
Wovoka is currently engaged in discussions with nine People's Organizations (PO) responsible for managing mangrove and terrestrial forests in Camarines Norte, Philippines. These forests cover an extensive range of 200 to 1,800 hectares, featuring diverse tree species within their open canopies. The local communities rely on these forests for their livelihoods, utilizing and selling agroforestry products. Unfortunately, like many other forests in the Philippines, these valuable ecosystems are under the threat of deforestation caused by illegal logging and timber harvesting for charcoal production.
Here is how Wovoka can help. Wovoka specializes in identifying prospective sites for scaling up nature protection and restoration projects and working with community-based land managers to agree on a project plan. Our dedicated team of carbon development experts is capable to model the potential carbon sequestration capacity of these areas over certain timeframes. We then partner with others who can provide technical and financial support to get the best deal for both the local land managers and the planet.
Recently, Wovoka convened with Terraformation’s Vice-President of Growth & Capital Markets Yee Lee to gain insights from his experience working on the business of restoring the world’s forests. Terraformation is a company with nature restoration at its core. They have recently launched an accelerator program that provides technical and financial support for project developers.
For 25 years, Yee Lee built an extensive track record in engineering and product management in giant tech companies like Paypal, Google, and Facebook. Now, Yee Lee is Vice-President of Growth & Capital Markets at Terraformation, which offers early-stage financing to biodiverse carbon projects. The company’s mission is to reverse climate change by restoring native forests.
When asked how a successful tech entrepreneur such as himself gets involved in the field of climate change, Yee draws inspiration from envisioning a world for his children.
“By 2019, I had founded multiple startups and worked at major technology companies for over 20 years in Silicon Valley. My eldest child turned 12 that year and we started conversing about what they might do when they grew up. I had known about climate change ever since I was a kid but had always assumed that governments would take care of this problem.
But the more I talked with my kids, the more I thought about what their world was likely to be like — how the weather was changing, how the water supply was likely to shift, and how food production was going to be different by the time they got to be my age.
I decided by the end of 2019 to get out of the technology space and dedicate the rest of my career to working on climate change.”
“Our planet’s ecosystems have the capability of sequestering hundreds of gigatons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere if we help restore natural ecosystems. Terraformation is dedicated to restoring the world’s forests to stabilize our climate, revive ecosystems, and build thriving communities.
Yee Lee further emphasizes how Terraformation works to build the capacity of forestry teams around the world in overcoming other major bottlenecks to restoration at scale.
“We prioritize biodiversity, climate equity, and the local community that stewards the projects. Many of these projects generate complementary sustainable revenue streams to support local economies.”
In the next decade, the world will need thousands of new reforestation teams to capture carbon at scale and limit the impacts of climate change. However, nearly every forest restoration project is underfunded and needs training and equipment.
Terraformation’s Seed to Carbon Forest Accelerator, the world’s first biodiversity-focused, carbon-funded forest accelerator program, offers wrap-around support to emerging forestry teams.
The accelerator program helps in providing forestry teams with the tools to launch restoration projects and succeed at scale. These include early-stage financing, training in resilient native ecosystem restoration, and tools to increase project transparency in critical early stages.
Apart from climate change issues, Yee Lee also identifies quality control as one of the biggest challenges facing the carbon offtake market today.
“Carbon buyers are worried about buying carbon credits that later may turn out to not have been truly additional to carbon sequestration or were generated through exploitative labor or land practices.”
Yee Lee also adds, “Terraformation works to address quality concerns by ensuring that our forestry projects align with popular carbon credits standards, restore biodiverse ecosystems, respect indigenous lands, and support UN SDGs for inclusive labor and local economic benefit.”
“The challenge of combating climate change is so vast that all types of entities can and must collaborate to make an impact. Terraformation works with corporations, non-profit NGOs, as well as governments to start carbon projects and native forest restoration projects all around the world.”
To date, Terraformation has started 19 projects worldwide on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
1. Reforestation project developers play a crucial role in restoring natural ecosystems and therefore achieving the Net Zero Goal by 2050. Programs that can provide financial support and capacity to emerging reforestation teams make way for the successful launching of restoration projects at scale.
2. Transparency and quality control build credibility. Carbon buyers seek assurance that carbon credit projects adhere to economic, environmental, and legal standards governing the industry.
3. The path to realizing SDGs centers on collaboration. All types of entities — corporations, NGOs, non-profit organizations, and governments must work together to solve climate change.
Wovoka is dedicated to delivering high-quality carbon credits. Our model design adheres to reputable and well-informed carbon standards, ensuring the use of credible baselines and the production of a quantifiable and verifiable climate impact. This is how we contribute to the global effort of achieving Net Zero.
However, Wovoka's commitment extends beyond climate considerations. Our community-based climate action maximizes benefits for local communities through engagement, capacity-building, and collaboration. We also prioritize fair and transparent benefit-sharing with our stakeholders, which helps mitigate existing social imbalances and fosters economic resilience.
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A century ago, the Philippines had approximately 450,000 hectares of mangroves, yet in 2019 – even after many reforestation efforts, its coverage is only around 227,808 hectares. Thousands of hectares have been destroyed and converted into other agricultural uses, while many others have been affected by deforestation. To resolve this ongoing threat, countless studies have backed the role of mangroves in our ecosystem and their potential in carbon sequestration and climate change. Fortunately, the potential to protect and rehabilitate these mangrove forests in the country is large, especially with the growing interest from both local and foreign investors.
Among the many mangrove forests in the Philippines, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao is the largest contiguous reserve spanning over a 4,871-hectare block. It houses 27 of the 80 mangrove species in the world, with these dominated by the Rhizophora (Rhizophora apiculata) mangrove species and some fauna species such as the Philippine saltwater crocodile and Philippine Cockatoo.
One of the rarest mangrove species, locally known as bikya, can also be found in the mangrove reserve. It is distinguished by its flowering nature, often spotted with white flowers in bloom.
The Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve has been gaining national attention after being recognized as the country’s ninth wetland of international importance. This recognition is a precursor to the reserve’s nomination to be included in the global network of wetlands known as the Ramsar Sites. Currently, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve is in line to be formally listed as a Ramsar site under the 1971 Ramsar Convention, an inter-governmental environmental treaty established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. This has many benefits, including international recognition, conservation and protection, promotion of sustainable use, and access to funding opportunities.
Beyond current efforts, Siargao has continuously been working on mangrove projects for more than two decades. As of October 2022, Siargao celebrated its 26th year of being a protected area under the Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS), a programme focusing on preserving biodiversity. SIPLAS comprises Siargao, the Bucas Grande Island, and islets around them spanning over a total land area of 62,796 hectares. As a protected area, the state commits to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate the Siargao Group of Islands and its respective communities to uphold its integrity for the future Filipino generations.
Over the past decade, its LGU has been proactive in pushing for mangrove conservation, especially after Typhoon Odette ravaged the island in 2021. Estimates suggest that the typhoon left damages amounting to roughly Php 20 billion in destroyed homes, public facilities, and infrastructure.
While it may be hard to imagine, this estimated amount is already somewhat lower than it could have been as the island was significantly protected by its vast mangrove coverage. The Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, which is sprawled across the island, was able to protect the local communities from further devastation. In return, however, a significant portion of the mangroves were destroyed and are yet to be rehabilitated.
As our team concluded our visit to Siargao, we saw an opportunity to work with the Del Carmen municipal government in seeking investors who are willing to support the restoration and furtherance of the mangrove reserve. To date, they were able to reforest a total mangrove area of 600 hectares, and are looking to continue growing this number over the next few years. Del Carmen mayor, Mayor Coro, expressed his enthusiasm about finding partners in development who are genuinely interested in the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve’s potential. With enough support, it is possible to return the mangrove reserve to its original condition before Typhoon Odette wiped a portion of its coverage, and even take it further to increase productivity in terms of livelihood generation and carbon sequestration.
If you’d like to learn more about supporting the Del Carmen restoration effort and the size of the potential carbon finance, please get in touch with our Senior Carbon Associate Tin at tin@wovoka.io. You may also watch the interview with our co-founder Dr. Lee Pearson, Senior Carbon Associate Tin Dalida, and the Del Carmen Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Gina Barquilla here.
Blue carbon sink resources such as mangrove ecosystems are abundant in the Philippines, boasting up to 39 true mangrove species. However, the interest and knowledge on blue carbon are limited only to a select few who study it. At Wovoka, we aim to spearhead projects that are centered on the conservation and development of blue carbon stores. We firmly believe in the role they play in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, essential in achieving the Net Zero Goal by 2050.
Last May 2023, the Wovoka team had the honor of interviewing Dr. Maria Lourdes “Malou” San Diego-McGlone. She is a renowned Filipino scientist and a Professor Emeritus at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines. She specializes in chemical oceanography and focused on eutrophication and ocean acidification.
As she progressed through her career, she developed an interest in blue carbon as a natural way to mitigate ocean acidification. Throughout her career, she has worked on blue carbon projects, including BlueCARES, a collaboration between researchers from Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines focusing on the conservation of coastal ecosystems and mitigation of global warming through blue carbon strategies in the Coral Triangle Region.
Through our interview, Wovoka gained a clearer view of the current state of blue carbon studies in the Philippines. Working with researchers is one of the many that our company is actively involved in to help us identify gaps in blue carbon projects in the country.
Keep reading below to learn more about the experiences of a Blue Carbon Expert in the Philippines!
Towards the end, before I retired, blue carbon was the last project I worked on, which is a very natural progression because I was working with ocean acidification. So the next question in mind is: how do you mitigate or lessen the impact of ocean acidification? Blue carbon ecosystems would be a natural way to mitigate ocean acidification or carbon dioxide increase. I thought that was a nice way to go from one to the other.
One output from my work is to build a lab that can help capacitate people to do blue carbon work. The lab can measure carbon content from the blue carbon ecosystems. So aside from the facilities, we also had researchers and students who became interested in blue carbon work and even ocean acidification. We planted the seed and hopefully, it grows and prospers.
When I look back, I said I was interested in eutrophication or pollution — nutrient inputs into marine systems and into water bodies. Then, I realized that if there is a lot of nutrient input, there would be a lot of organic matter produced. In the decomposition process, carbon dioxide is released. Carbon dioxide actually makes the water acidic, so eutrophication itself is linked to ocean acidification.
The ocean acidification we know of globally is caused by carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels. However, coastal acidification is happening where there is high eutrophication because carbon dioxide combines with water to produce carbonic acid. This carbonic acid causes the water to be acidic.
For instance, I saw in our study site in Bolinao, Pangasinan where mariculture has become considerable and uncontrolled, that waters have become eutrophic and acidic thereby causing a negative impact on corals and other marine organisms.
In terms of addressing a gap, one has to be mindful of what’s happening in the environment. I realized that these blue carbon ecosystems are really doing a good job at capturing and storing carbon, and the decimation of our mangroves and seagrass (blue carbon ecosystems) in the Philippines is something to worry about.
Blue carbon is a relatively new concept for everyone. There is an increasing interest in blue carbon nationally, locally, and globally because of the role it can play to offset carbon dioxide increase. But, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of raising people’s awareness and motivating the local government to do something, especially those with a lot of potential for blue carbon conservation.
There is some research on blue carbon, but we still lack an inventory or assessment of the extent of our ecosystems. In order to go into the carbon credit and carbon offset business, we have to know how much we can offer. We have to actually quantify our blue carbon ecosystems.
I think the simplest way would be reforestation efforts for companies that actually produce carbon dioxide. It would also be good if they start getting materials for kids to learn and sponsoring environmental contests for art, concept, and ideas for conservation; more information and education campaigns. Considering that we still need an inventory of how much resources or assets we have as far as blue carbon is concerned, large-scale initiatives might focus on that first.
I think it’s important to recognize the green carbon-blue carbon link. What happens in the coastal area is affected by what happens in upland forests and mountains (terrestrial ecosystems). Blue carbon ecosystems should not be separated from other ecosystems. Everything is linked so the issue should not be addressed separately. It has to be more holistic.
We were able to bring in the local academic institutions. They were the ones who helped implement the project in their area. I think you have to involve local partners because they play a big role in sustaining the project at the local level, especially after project completion. It also helped that we had financial and technical support, so it was a good collaborative effort.
On the local level, it’s good to partner with universities that will carry the project through. On the national level, we should ensure that agencies such as DENR and the Climate Change Commission will sustain the output of the project. Hence, it is necessary to involve them early on or at the project's onset.
After the interview concluded, our team had three key takeaways that can help in directing efforts when working on blue carbon in the Philippines.
1. First, a comprehensive assessment of the blue carbon stock in the country is a must to set the foundation for carbon credit and offset business. Attracting investors will continue to be a challenge without clearly identifying the value of our blue carbon stores.
2. Second, driving information on blue carbon is equally as important as developing blue carbon projects. By informing the public and leveraging their capacity to contribute to the success of blue carbon initiatives, the sustainability and longevity of projects can be promoted and upheld.
3. Third, the collaboration between public and private entities is pivotal to the success of blue carbon projects as both parties provide necessary resources and input that support various efforts and initiatives.
Wovoka is committed to learning more about blue carbon from the lens of experts who have dedicated their careers to developing the industry. By developing the right collaborations set with the right intentions, we are optimistic that our journey will be a productive one.
We move forward with the knowledge that blue carbon is yet to be taken further in the Philippines, but we are no longer starting from scratch. Every step forward must be well calculated and thoughtfully decided to ensure we are going in the right direction.
