Blue carbon projects must uphold the land and sea rights of coastal peoples

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41558-026-02643-8Blue carbon brings new interest in the land and sea rights of coastal communities, small-scale fishers and Indigenous peoples. While promises of climate mitigation, conservation and economic benefits are compelling, blue carbon projects must uphold local agency and rights as a legal and ethical duty, not just as conditional for project approval.