Additionality

In mangrove restoration projects, additionality ensures that carbon credits represent real, measurable, and surplus carbon removals that would not have occurred without the project. To demonstrate additionality, the activities carried out must be clearly distinct from the baseline scenario, which assumes zero carbon sequestration for new mangrove areas. The project must result in outcomes—such as the establishment or restoration of mangrove ecosystems—that would not have happened without the intervention.

To establish additionality, the following key tasks must be undertaken:

1. Clear Description of Activities: Projects must detail the specific activities they are implementing, such as planting new mangroves, restoring hydrological conditions, or improving soil retention. These activities should be outlined with clear timelines and objectives that highlight their role in establishing or restoring mangrove ecosystems.
2. Comparison with Previous Land Use: The project must demonstrate how these activities differ from prior land use practices, whether it be agriculture, development, or degraded land that would otherwise not regenerate. Evidence of past land use, such as historical records or satellite imagery, should be provided to show that the land would not naturally revert to mangroves without intervention.
3. Deforestation Assessment: Projects must assess if any deforestation has taken place within the last five years in the proposed area. Historical satellite imagery can be used to verify whether the land has been cleared, supporting the case that the restoration activities are reversing prior degradation and facilitating carbon sequestration.

By demonstrating these factors, projects can validate their additionality, ensuring that the carbon sequestration achieved is directly attributable to the restoration activities, and would not have occurred in the absence of the project.