Mangroves are coastal forests made up of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones. Often overlooked, these ecosystems are climate powerhouses—able to store up to five times as much organic carbon as tropical upland forests, thanks to their high productivity and slow soil decomposition rates.

This carbon is held not only in the biomass of the trees, but deep in the waterlogged soils beneath them. That makes mangroves one of the most efficient and durable nature-based carbon removal solutions available today.

How do mangroves remove carbon?

Mangroves sequester carbon through photosynthesis, storing it in their roots, trunks, leaves, and surrounding soil. Unlike many land-based ecosystems, mangrove soils are waterlogged and low in oxygen, which slows decomposition and allows carbon to remain stored for centuries—or even millennia.

This long-term storage makes mangrove ecosystems critical allies in the fight against climate change. But they’re also among the most threatened, with global mangrove cover declining rapidly due to coastal development, aquaculture, and rising sea levels.

Beyond carbon: The co-benefits of mangrove restoration

Mangrove restoration isn’t just about removing carbon—it’s about strengthening ecosystems, economies, and communities. The ecosystem services mangroves provide have been estimated at $194,000 per hectare annually, an amount that reflects just how crucial they are to maintaining the wellbeing of the communities and ecosystems that interact with them. These ecosystem services include:

Coastal protection: Mangroves act as natural storm barriers, reducing wave energy and shielding coastlines from erosion, flooding, and storm surges. This makes them vital for climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.
Biodiversity: These forests provide critical breeding grounds for fish, crabs, and birds. A single hectare of mangrove can support thousands of marine and terrestrial species, many of which are essential to local food systems.
Livelihoods and resilience: Mangrove ecosystems sustain millions of people through fisheries, honey production, and sustainable tourism. Restoration projects often involve local communities directly and benefit them economically, creating jobs and strengthening climate resilience.

Spotlight on mangrove restoration

A number of project developers are demonstrating the full potential of mangroves as high-impact carbon removal solutions:

WeForest: In Senegal, WeForest is restoring mangrove ecosystems across the Saloum Delta by working hand-in-hand with local communities. The project focuses on reforesting degraded tidal areas using native mangrove species, helping to sequester carbon while supporting fisheries, improving soil and water quality, and boosting community incomes. With a strong emphasis on capacity building and co-creation, WeForest ensures that restoration efforts are ecologically sound and socially embedded, laying the groundwork for long-term resilience.

Delta Blue Carbon: Based in Pakistan’s Indus Delta—the fifth-largest delta in the world—Delta Blue Carbon is one of the largest blue carbon projects globally. Spanning over 350,000 hectares, the initiative aims to sequester tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime while restoring biodiversity and protecting communities from sea-level rise. The project is a public-private partnership, with strong government support and a focus on inclusive development for local populations.

These projects showcase the power of mangrove restoration to deliver durable carbon removal while advancing biodiversity, adaptation, and community wellbeing.

Scaling mangrove restoration for climate impact

Mangrove ecosystems represent a unique opportunity for durable carbon removal and adaptation in tandem. According to the Global Mangrove Alliance, preventing the loss of just 1% of global mangrove area could protect 200 million tonnes of CO₂ stored along our global coastlines.

Restoring mangrove forests to their natural range as far as possible would further bolster blue carbon sinks, while delivering protection and income to hundreds of thousands of people. Nature-based solutions like mangroves are central to achieving net zero, especially when rooted in strong local partnerships and community-led governance.

Mangroves as part of your climate strategy

For companies looking to support high-integrity carbon removal with immediate social and ecological impact, mangrove restoration is a compelling pathway. It combines long-term carbon storage with biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience—delivering measurable benefits across climate, nature, and community. At Opna, we work with trusted mangrove projects that are restoring ecosystems, creating livelihoods, and removing carbon for the long haul.

Get in touch at hi@opna.earth to learn how mangroves can be part of your net-zero strategy.