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<p>The Government recognises the important role that blue carbon habitats such as
saltmarsh and seagrass can play in climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience.
These richly biodiverse habitats also provide a crucial buffer from coastal flooding,
benefit fish stocks and improve local water quality.</p><p> </p><p>The UK is a global
leader in ocean protection and we have taken a number of steps to support blue carbon
habitats. In England, we have established a comprehensive network of 181 Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs), which cover the majority of our saltmarsh and seagrass habitats. MPAs
are intended to protect designated features listed within the MPA target. While blue
carbon habitats may not always be an explicitly designated feature, MPA protection
may still yield benefits. Our focus is now on ensuring that these MPAs are effectively
protected to allow the designated features to achieve favourable condition. The first
three Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMAs) designations in English waters came into
force in summer 2023. Two of the three designated sites, Allonby Bay and North East
of Farnes Deep, contain blue carbon habitats. Defra is exploring identifying additional
candidate HPMA sites.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency’s Restoring Meadow, Marsh
and Reef (ReMeMaRe) initiative is working to restore seagrass meadows, saltmarsh and
native oyster reefs. Working in partnership with environmental non-government organisations,
industry, community groups, and academia, the initiative aims to identify innovative
funding opportunities, streamline regulatory processes, build capacity and share knowledge
with partners to facilitate a larger programme of restoration.</p><p> </p><p>Defra
has set up the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership in partnership with the Devolved
Administrations to address evidence gaps that currently prevent the inclusion of blue
carbon habitats in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHGI). Inclusion of these habitats
in the GHGI will allow blue carbon to be marketed and traded as a carbon offset, leveraging
private investment into these vital natural carbon stores.</p>
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