Australia has pledged over US$4million at the climate conference in Germany for ocean based climate initiatives in the Pacific.
Pacific Ocean, Cook Islands Photo: RNZI
So called "blue carbon" projects such as replanting mangroves and seagrass or protecting crops from storm surges, are aimed at improving coastal ecosystems.
Australia's environment minister said the money would be used for better data collection and integration of blue carbon projects into climate policies and management strategies.
He said he hoped that by having long-term monitoring of coastal environments, Pacific communities will become more aware of the knock-on benefits, such as improved health of their fisheries.
