Natural climate solution potential in the ASEAN region—Opportunity for investment in natural climate solution readiness in national climate policies with meaningful co‐benefits

Abstract

AbstractNatural climate solutions (NCS) are attracting more attention as viable emissions reduction and removal options, especially from the private sector as more governments and corporations commit to carbon neutrality. Southeast Asia harbors as much as 42% of NCS potential through its vast extent of tropical ecosystems that are under threat. Blue carbon, in particular, provides great potential to the region, yet efforts to incorporate blue carbon into national climate policies of ASEAN member countries are weak. ASEAN may take full advantage of its NCS potentials as well as opportunities arising within the international carbon market by investing in the policy readiness for supplying NCS, including REDD+ and blue carbon, to carbon markets.