Blue carbon ecosystems are often called a “secret weapon” in the fight against climate change. But what makes them so special? Why do they matter for tourism? How can the industry help regenerate them and unlock their carbon-storage potential?
This webinar in our Road to Net Zero series will explore how tourism can harness blue carbon as a climate change mitigation and adaptation solution. Our CEO, Paloma Zapata, will chat with three experts about concrete ways that the industry can contribute to the conservation of these important coastal ecosystems.
Philippa Roe, Group Manager of Regenerative Impact at Six Senses, will talk about the resorts’ conservation efforts, including how they’re using environmental awareness and immersive experiences to transform perceptions of seagrass from a nuisance to an asset. We’ll also hear from Robyn Shilland, Director of the Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services (ACES) about how climate finance supports mangrove restoration and community development in Kenya. Kassim Juma, the local project coordinator for ACES’ Mikoko Pamoja project will share his firsthand experience of mangrove conservation in action.
Join this webinar to get inspired on how to incorporate blue carbon into your net zero strategy and discuss your questions with the experts.
What you'll learn
- What blue carbon is and why it is such a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change.
- How blue carbon ecosystems can strengthen climate resilience in coastal and island destinations.
- How blue carbon ecosystems are connected to tourism and what the industry’s responsibility is to protect and restore them.
- How tourism stakeholders can take action to conserve blue carbon ecosystems on a local and global scale through education, collaboration, and climate financing.
- How these conservation efforts have enhanced biodiversity, local livelihoods, tourism, food security, and coastal protection.
This webinar was streamed live on July 19, 2023. Click here to watch the recording
Watch the webinar recording
Meet the Experts
Speaker
Philippa (Pip) Roe
Group Manager of Regenerative Impact, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spa
With an academic background in Social Anthropology and Tropical Marine Biology, Pip has worked for marine conservation NGOs and the UK Government. However, the majority of her conservation experience has been with Six Senses, based at their Maldives property, Six Senses Laamu. As their Head of Marine Conservation, Pip has presented research and conservation projects at national and international conferences, authored national IUCN RedList Assessments and been a member of a national marine spatial planning working group. She now works within Six Senses Corporate office as Group Manager of Regenerative Impact.
Speaker
Robyn Shilland
Director, Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services (ACES)
Robyn has worked in blue carbon conservation for 10 years, supporting community groups to develop and manage accredited carbon projects that benefit the environment, the climate and coastal communities. Her work includes research into the political ecology and ethics of carbon offsetting, including a strong focus on social justice in blue carbon projects and the barriers and opportunities posed by crediting frameworks for the conservation of various coastal ecosystems.
Speaker
Mohammed Kassim Juma
Mikoko Pamoja Project Coordinator, ACES
Mohammed Kassim Juma is the Project Coordinator of the Mikoko Pamoja carbon offset project in Gazi Bay. With a background in Coastal and Marine Resource Management, Mohammed’s passion lies in the conservation of mangroves. Born and raised in Gazi, he actively engages in various initiatives such as coral reef restoration, plastic collection, and research on water parameters in seagrass areas. Mohammed’s dedication to preserving marine resources and his community-oriented approach drive his efforts in conserving these vital ecosystems.
Moderator
Paloma Zapata
Road to Net Zero
A webinar series catalyzing climate action in travel
It’s readily apparent that the world must take swift, ambitious action to reach net zero emissions. What’s less evident is how to get there. Our Road to Net Zero Webinar series offers stakeholders support on their journey to net zero travel. Each webinar takes a deep dive into a different aspect of climate action, demystifying confusing or controversial topics and highlighting real-life examples of climate action in practice.