The Marine Natural Capital Navigators are delighted to host this webinar, which will explore Scotland’s Blue Carbon Action Plan (published in 2025) and Scotland’s approach to recognising, protecting, and enhancing blue carbon across its seas and coasts.
The plan sets out how Scotland will support its blue carbon habitats ; saltmarsh, seagrass, seabed sediments, and kelp/seaweeds, which naturally capture and store carbon, in some cases for thousands of years. These habitats not only play a vital role in climate change mitigation, but also provide coastal protection, flood resilience, biodiversity support, and nursery grounds for fisheries.
The webinar will be introduced and facilitated by Cathy Tilbrook (head of NatureScot's Sustainable Coasts & Seas team) and will feature a presentation from Professor Bill Austin (University of St Andrews / Blue Carbon Forum). The presentation will outline the scientific evidence underpinning blue carbon in Scotland, the development of the Action Plan, and its key priorities for research, policy, and delivery following its publication.
The session will conclude with a Q&A, providing an opportunity for participants to engage with the Action Plan, ask questions, and discuss implications and next steps for implementation.