This press release was jointly issued by WWF-Singapore and Hatch Blue.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore and Hatch Blue, with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) today announced the premiere of Blue Catalyst, an open innovation challenge designed to unlock technological solutions to scale high-quality blue carbon ecosystems across Asia and beyond.
Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, peatlands and coastal wetlands, are among the planet’s most powerful natural climate solutions, storing carbon up to four times more efficiently than terrestrial forests. Mangroves buffer coastal communities from storms, support rich biodiversity, and in Singapore alone, provide habitat for over 3,000 insect species.1 These ecosystems not only sequester carbon at scale but also safeguard US $800 billion in food security and livelihoods annually. Yet, 40% of mangrove-dependent species are already threatened globally. Carbon markets are emerging as a key financing mechanism to restore these ecosystems. Valued at US $1.4 billion in 2024, they are projected to grow to as much as US $35 billion by 2030.2 High-integrity carbon markets can generate reliable revenue streams by pricing both the carbon sequestered and the co-benefits to communities and biodiversity. As demand for nature-based credits rises, the success of blue carbon projects hinges on trust and scalability, making innovation, technology, and collaboration more critical than ever.
About Blue Catalyst
Blue Catalyst will harness technology in service of nature, tackling the toughest technical and operational barriers in blue carbon today. More than a challenge, it is a platform that connects project developers, researchers, and innovators across the region to shape solutions that can scale. With funding, mentorship, and pilot opportunities behind them, participants will be able to turn promising ideas into solutions that can be deployed for high-integrity blue carbon projects across Asia and beyond.
Blue Catalyst is part of WWF’s broader flagship blue carbon programme which aims to restore blue carbon ecosystems in Asia and beyond by promoting investments, advancing technological innovation, encouraging adoption of technologies and building capacity in nature-tech. As part of this effort, WWF is partnering EDB to drive innovation in blue carbon project development and MRV, of which Blue Catalyst is a key initiative.
Hosted in Singapore, Blue Catalyst will focus on scalable technologies that address blue carbon project implementation, measurement and verification challenges, including:
- Accurate geospatial mapping to track ecosystem changes
- Carbon stock and flux modelling, especially for below-soil and below-water carbon
- Community engagement and biodiversity monitoring
- Restoration technologies such as smart nurseries.
As part of Blue Catalyst, WWF will contribute expertise on blue carbon science, its global network of climate specialists, and best practices on innovation and carbon markets. Hatch Blue will provide critical expertise in preparing start-ups for investment, scaling businesses, and validating emerging technologies. EDB’s support for Blue Catalyst is part of Singapore’s wider efforts to grow as a carbon services and trading hub and to scale high-quality carbon markets in Asia.
