Ecoacsa, in collaboration with EY Denkstatt Bulgaria and with the contribution of Plan Bleu, The Green Tank and all partners of the Interreg Euro-MED ARTEMIShas presented the report Investment Opportunities in the Restoration of Posidonia Seagrass Meadows. This pioneering report examines how market instruments can finance the restoration and conservation of Posidonia oceanica, a seagrass species endemic of the Mediterranean. Posidonia is a key natural ecosystem for marine biodiversity and society; however, its value is underrecognized in economic terms.
Developed within the framework of the ARTEMIS project, the report highlights how restoring these marine plants can generate considerable ecological, social, and financial value. Through innovative financial tools, such as blue carbon credits and marine biodiversity credits —currently under development— and payments for ecosystem services (PES), a unique opportunity is presented to boost the sustainable blue economy and comply with the commitments of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), especially Target 3 (30x30: protect 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030) and Target 19 (mobilize substantial financial resources for the conservation of biological diversity).
Key conclusions of the report
Ecological value of Posidonia meadows: These marine ecosystems offer essential benefits, such as coastal protection against erosion, improved water quality, marine biodiversity preservation, and carbon sequestration—contributing to both climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Innovative financial instruments: The report highlights the potential of blue carbon and marine biodiversity and payments for ecosystem services (PES) as key mechanisms to finance restoration projects for these ecosystems and generate sustainable income.
Pilot cases in the Mediterranean,: Under the ARTEMIS framework, restoration projects have been implemented at various sites across the Mediterranean providing valuable data on costs, outcomes, and restoration effectiveness.
Investment opportunities: Growing demand for nature-based solutions and the support of European policies, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Commission’s 2025 roadmap for nature credits position Posidonia restoration as a key opportunity for investors interested in environmental and economic impact.
Vision and commitment to the future of marine ecosystems
Paula Castillo, Marine Environment and Environmental Markets Consultant at Ecoacsa, emphasizes that "degraded marine ecosystems bring rising hidden costs that surpass the costs of taking action and protecting the sea. Achieving long-term ocean resilience requires investment in protection. A healthy marine ecosystem is a sound economic strategy."
David Álvarez, Executive Director of Ecoacsa, adds that "the report marks an important step in the development of the blue economy in the Mediterranean. We are working to demonstrate that, through market instruments, both active and passive restoration of seagrass can be an economically viable and attractive activity for investors, benefiting both the environment and local economies."
This report represents a significant step forward in integrating marine ecosystem restoration into the financial market and provides investors with a unique opportunity to participate in an emerging market with high potential for long-term positive impact in the Mediterranean.
For more information, you can find the full report Investment Opportunities in the Restoration of Posidonia Seagrass Meadows below.