Engineered Reefs As Carbon Sinks

Coral reefs are a critical component of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, rivalled only by rainforests in their importance and biological complexity. Healthy coral reefs generate nearly 11 trillion USD (10.4% of the world’s GDP) annually by protecting coasts, sustaining fisheries, fostering tourism, and creating jobs. These reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor but contribute approximately 36 billion USD to the global tourism industry annually. More than 1 billion people (12% of the world’s population) benefit directly from these reefs. In the APAC region alone, 78% of the total economic contribution of reefs comes from reef tourism. For island nations specifically, reefs contribute significantly to annual GDP.

Unfortunately, during the last seven decades, we have lost nearly 50% of the world’s coral cover. They are currently one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. The most recent coral bleaching event that occurred in 2016 laid waste to nearly 30%-50% of the surviving coral cover. Even under conservative global warming estimates, where temperatures increase by less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, 70%-90% of reef-building corals will not survive.

Coral health relies heavily on optimal temperature and environmental conditions. Human activities at sea have degraded these reefs. Overfishing, unsustainable fishing, increased waste due to tourism, infrastructure across coastlines, and the removal of seagrass and mangrove forests have destroyed these delicate ecosystems. Without marine fauna to curb algae growth and seagrass to filter and enrich water, coral reefs have no way to bounce back from extreme bleaching events. Invasive structures along coasts, such as ports, roads, cities, and reclaimed land development, have significantly reduced the survival rates of the complicated and wonderful reefs that foster valuable ecosystems.

Currently, coral reefs are declining at a rate between 5.5%-9.2% per year. Simultaneously, sea levels are rising at 0.42 cm per year. It is crucial to understand the vicious cycle of reef degradation and rising sea levels to truly comprehend its detrimental impact on climate change resilience. Coral reefs alone absorb 70-90 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The marine life that they foster sequesters even more carbon. A lesser-known but crucial function of reefs is coastline protection and their ability to provide buffers against natural disasters. Coral reefs provide a buffer, protecting our coasts from waves, storms, and floods. When reefs are damaged or destroyed, the absence of this natural barrier can increase the damage to coastal communities from normal wave action and violent storms.

Due to overfishing, global warming, pollution, and unsustainable development, our environmental protection from coastal erosion and natural disasters has been severely reduced. As a response, concrete and rock structures are being used to replace reefs and protect coasts. These structures are very costly and have a high carbon footprint. These processes, in turn, add more carbon to the atmosphere, accelerating rising sea levels and further destroying coral reefs.

It is more evident now than ever before that a global, coordinated effort is required to conserve reefs and help them adapt to new and extreme conditions. Without this, we are risking the slow but certain death of entire species, the destruction of livelihoods, and eventually, the expedited uninhabitability of the planet. This impending doom has stirred immense scientific debate. In particular, questions around increasing coral cover and offsetting the effects of human destruction of marine life have become more frequent. As a result of these inquiries, a prominent solution in the form of engineered reefs has emerged.

These ‘architected’ reefs would serve as sustainable offshore structures with the ability to mimic natural reefs. They are extremely cost-effective with high carbon offsetting potential. Private players are now stepping into the ring to help safeguard the health of our oceans. Tinge of Green is very proud to partner with some of the leading engineered reef companies in the world. Our partners focus on various sub-markets within the space, including restoration, rehabilitation, research and monitoring, installation, research and development, technology, carbon sequestration, and more.

The companies we support build engineered reefs that are modular, stackable, and made of alternative sustainable concrete. This means that not only do they help sequester carbon, but the manufacturing process emits 90% less carbon. The use of sustainable concrete is crucial because regular cement is responsible for about 8% of global CO2 emissions - more than double those from flying or shipping. Additionally, 3 trillion litres of fresh water are used for global concrete production each year.

Another key aspect of engineered reef projects is their customizability. These reefs can generate revenues in excess of $250,000 per square kilometre of reef engineered. The methods of revenue generation include carbon credits, sustainable fishing, seaweed farming, and ocean data analysis. These reefs provide a home to marine flora like kelp and seagrass, which absorb 10-12 times more carbon than tropical forests. For example, the Southern Yellow Pine tree, a building block of many forests, requires 12 years to mature and sequesters 10 metric tonnes of carbon per hectare per year. In comparison, the Giant Kelp, a commonly found kelp, requires only 4 months to mature and sequesters 120-200 metric tonnes of carbon per hectare per year.

Ocean restoration and recovery require artificial/engineered reefs to grow corals and a data platform to monitor the progress and health of these ecosystems. Together, these two components will help foster innovation and growth within this field and many more. A great example of this is the use of marine flora and fauna in pharmacology. Many organisms found on reefs produce chemical compounds that have been used in treatments for cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, leukaemia, lymphoma, and skin cancer, and many more remain undiscovered. More than half of all new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms, many of which can be found on coral reefs.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Coimbra and the University of Aveiro in Portugal highlights the importance of seaweed-derived nutrients in drug discovery and innovative product development. Seaweeds are an abundant source of essential vitamins, minerals, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and unique secondary metabolites, which reveal a wide range of biological activities. These bioactive compounds have potential therapeutic properties, making them interesting candidates for new drugs for medical applications.

The ability to grow these reefs artificially will promote climate change resilience while generating profit and improving outcomes across the board. Our partners have already begun to change the course of marine innovation with some projects across the globe. One of our partner’s landmark projects is a 54 square kilometre reef-building project in Comporta, Portugal. It is estimated that the reef module will turn green within 2-3 months, attracting a host of marine fauna, eventually building into a one-of-a-kind coral reef. The astounding fact is that 2,500 such reefs (135,000 sq. km) are capable of absorbing the entirety of excess carbon released around the globe per year, effectively making us carbon neutral. To provide some context, the island of Java is 138,794 square kilometres in area. We would need to build reefs that cumulatively cover a total area less than the area of Java to make our world carbon neutral.

Reefs are undoubtedly our most precious ecosystems and our greatest chance to fight climate change. It is crucial that we incorporate reef restoration and engineered reef deployment into our climate change action plan in a significant manner. Engineered coral reefs support the fulfilment of 6 of 17 UN SDG Goals - Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate Action, Life Below Water and Partnerships for the Goals. Projects are already underway in various locations worldwide, including Comporta, Cascais, and Madeira in Portugal.

Note for readers: A consortium of sustainability solutions ventures, comprising of Tinge of Green, Bridge Institute, Reef Company & BlueBeat, offers a revolutionary sustainability initiative enabling potential annual revenue generation in excess of $250,000 per square kilometre of reef engineered from carbon credits alone. Engineered coral reefs and seagrass meadows are remarkably efficient carbon sinks. Investing in their restoration and creation would qualify for carbon credits, a tangible asset that can offset your carbon footprint and boost your standing in the global market as a pioneer in environmental sustainability. As governments around the world increasingly seek to enforce sustainability and carbon reduction targets, your proactive investment in 'blue carbon' ecosystems positions you favourably with regulatory bodies. By enhancing the health of coastal ecosystems, this investment provides natural protection against extreme weather events like storms and cyclones, reducing infrastructure risk and associated costs. Healthy reefs and seagrass meadows boost local biodiversity, attracting recreational tourism and fostering goodwill among local communities. This, in turn, improves your reputation and opens new avenues for market differentiation. Leading the way in this emerging field would set you apart from competitors, aligning your brand with innovation, sustainability, and forward-thinking - all critical attributes in the evolving global marketplace.