Skip to content
    • Cawthron researcher Anna Berthelsen taking a blue carbon sediment core sample during coastal wetland fieldwork, 2023.

    Blue Climate Solutions

    Using ocean science to support safe, nature-positive climate action

    Measure what matters. Restore what works. Scale only what is safe and proven.

    Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. It raises two urgent questions: how can we reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions, and how can we adapt to the climate impacts that are now unavoidable?

    The ocean, coastlines and connected freshwater systems have an important role to play in both.

    Marine and coastal ecosystems can capture and store carbon. Healthy coastal habitats can buffer communities from climate impacts. Nature-based and societal adaptation approaches can help people, places and ecosystems respond to sea-level rise, storms, warming waters and other climate pressures.

    But not every response is a lasting solution.

    Some approaches may work in one place but fail in another. Some may provide short-term protection while creating long-term risks. Some may look promising but lack the evidence needed to understand their true effectiveness, limits or social acceptability.

    Cawthron’s vision is to help decision-makers, communities and partners navigate this complexity.

    Through this Platform - Navigating Blue Climate Solutions - Cawthron will develop science-based frameworks, tools and technologies to assess which blue carbon, nature-based and societal climate solutions are safe, effective, feasible, desirable and durable over time.

    Why climate? | Why now?

    Climate urgency must be matched with long-term thinking.

    The world is under pressure to respond quickly to climate change. The remaining global carbon budget is being rapidly exhausted, and large-scale carbon removal is increasingly being discussed as part of the global response.

    At the same time, communities are already experiencing climate impacts. Coastal flooding, erosion, storms, warming waters, changing ecosystems and pressure on infrastructure are reshaping the choices available to decision-makers.

    This creates a difficult challenge. We need action, but we also need caution.

    Marine carbon dioxide removal and blue carbon interventions could play a role in climate mitigation, but they must be developed carefully, transparently and with deep respect for marine ecosystems. Climate engineering at large scale carries uncertainty, and poor decisions could create unintended consequences.

    Adaptation choices also carry risks. Hard engineering, nature-based solutions, accommodation, retreat, early warning systems and other responses all have different strengths, limits, costs and social implications. A response that reduces risk today may not remain effective under future climate conditions.

    Cawthron’s role is to help partners understand these trade-offs.

    By combining marine and freshwater science, climate risk assessment, social science, adaptation pathways planning, environmental monitoring, mātauranga-informed approaches and decision-support tools, we can help identify climate solutions that are credible, context-specific and durable over time.

    Our vision

    Long-term climate solutions for aquatic and coastal environments

    Cawthron’s vision is to support climate responses that are environmentally sound, socially grounded and fit for the future.

    This platform brings together climate mitigation and climate adaptation. It recognises that reducing emissions and removing carbon are essential, but so is helping communities, ecosystems and economies adapt to the impacts already underway.

    Our focus is on aquatic and coastal systems, from inland waters to estuaries, coastlines, lagoons and the open ocean. These environments are deeply connected to people’s wellbeing, food systems, livelihoods, culture, biodiversity and sense of place.

    The central question guiding this work is simple but important: are the climate responses being implemented today helping us become good ancestors?

    To answer that, Cawthron will help assess the effectiveness and limits of different climate solutions, both now and under future climate conditions. We will work with partners to understand what is possible, what is risky, what is locally appropriate and what sequence of actions is needed over time.

    Our approach is careful, evidence-led and people-centred. We work with nature and communities to identify solutions that can endure.

    Coastal landscape in Kiribati illustrating Pacific climate adaptation challenges.
    “Coastal ecosystems like seagrass meadows and saltmarsh are incredibly important. They store carbon, stabilise sediments, support biodiversity and help buffer coastlines from environmental change. Restoring them is not just about carbon. It is about helping whole coastal ecosystems recover their natural function, resilience and ability to support life.”
    Anna Berthelsen, Platform Co-Leader
    Ellie Brettle and Anna Berthelsen working on seagrass propagation techniques at Cawthron Institute.

    Summary of Platform workstreams

    Navigating Blue Climate Solutions

     

    Understanding blue carbon in Aotearoa NZ

    Understanding and restoring the marine and freshwater ecosystems that capture and store carbon. This includes restoring blue carbon habitats such as seagrass meadows and saltmarsh and other ecosystems that support carbon storage, biodiversity and coastal resilience.

    Cawthron researcher Anna Berthelsen collecting seagrass flowers for restoration research, 2023.

    Stocktake of climate solutions

    Assessing the climate responses already being implemented across Aotearoa New Zealand, including blue carbon, nature-based and societal adaptation approaches. This work will help identify what is working, what is limited, what is scalable and what may create future risk.

    Coastal landscape in Kiribati illustrating Pacific climate adaptation challenges.

    Past-to-future adaptation pathways in the Pacific

    Working with Pacific partners to understand how coastal communities have responded to climate risk over time, how effective those responses have been and what future pathways could support long-term resilience.

    Cawthron team preparing field equipment to map Wairau Lagoon, Marlborough, 2015.

    Marine climate mitigation research

    Research and development of emerging marine carbon dioxide removal, climate intervention and blue energy approaches only where they work with natural biological processes, can be carefully monitored and include strong ecological safeguards.

    Anticipating risk

    Developing early warning systems to predict risk such as climate tipping points to support management decisions.

    Maru Tapsell participating in a Cawthron-associated wānanga, bringing together community and scientific perspectives.

    Engagement and outreach

    Working with industry, communities, governments and other stakeholders and partners to help shift mindsets. Supporting positive attitudes to close the adoption gap for climate solutions.

    “Responsible blue carbon science has to start with evidence and safeguards. We need to understand where the carbon goes, how long it stays there and what effects any intervention could have on the wider marine environment.”
    Patrick Cahill Manager, Biosecurity
    Cawthron biosecurity researcher Patrick Cahill at a science event, March 2022.

    Publications and resources

    Find out more

    1

    Restore the Meadows

    By sponsoring Restore the Meadows, you can help bring back the seagrass habitats that sustain coastal biodiversity, improve water quality and strengthen the resilience of Te Tauihu’s marine ecosystems for generations to come.

    Download

    Partner with us

    Cawthron is seeking partners and funders who share our vision to help develop blue climate solutions that are scientifically robust, environmentally responsible and capable of contributing to climate action over the long term. If that’s you, we would love to hear from you.

    Get in touch