Written question WQ93635

Welsh Government recognises the importance blue carbon habitats play in addressing the climate and nature emergencies. Marine and coastal habitats such as seagrass and sub-tidal sediments provide us with many benefits, including storing up to 170% more carbon compared to forests. Wales has an extensive network of protected areas that seek to protect such habitats and species, recognising their national and global value including their blue carbon potential. Welsh Government has recently awarded funding to Project Seagrass through the Nature Networks Fund. This is an important step towards expanding seagrass restoration in Wales.

Together with the other UK governments we have established the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership to increase our knowledge on these habitats, carbon interactions, and how we can manage them. I am very pleased that a new forum for blue carbon will be established for Wales in the autumn. The forum will bring together a network of practitioners in Wales to share information and knowledge, to accelerate the already growing body of expertise and experience we have in Wales, and to identify research needs. The Forum will be supported by Environment Platform Wales and chaired by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.