Highlights

Blue Forests and COP29
Despite coming off a record-breaking year of global temperatures, COP29 was not a game-changer and lacked bold ambitions. Still, it moved the needle forward on key issues such as financing and carbon [...] Read more
New research brings us one step closer to making seaweed an ‘actionable’ blue carbon ecosystem
A new study finds that seaweed forests are responsible for 3-4% of the global ocean carbon sink. Norway’s vast kelp forests have an important climate mitigation role to play – particularly in the [...] Read more
Top 10 Trends for Blue Forests 2023
Top 10 Trends 2023 report   Continuing the tradition from last year, the Norwegian Blue Forest Network has gathered marine experts to assemble their joint overview of the greatest trends for blue[...] Read more
Blue Forests & COP28
Blue forests & COP28: overview of Oceans, Blue Forests and Blue Carbon events Gro Slotsvik – GRID-Arendal   The annual UN climate Conference of the Parties (COP) took place in Dubai on 30 N[...] Read more
30 by 30: how to restore the kelp forests?
30 BY 30: HOW TO RESTORE THE KELP FORESTS? Barbro Taraldset Haugland – Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway   A couple of years into the UN Decade of Ocean Science, there is increased foc[...] Read more
NBFN at Arendalsuka 2023
NBFN AT ARENDALSUKA 2023 During Arendalsuka, experts, politicians, and industry representatives gathered in  GRID-Arendal’s back garden to discuss what it will take to further develop the seaweed i[...] Read more
The Kelp Industry: Opportunities, barriers & next steps
THE KELP INDUSTRY: OPPORTUNITIES, BARRIERS, AND NEXT STEPS Authors: Sunniva Tangen Haldorsen (NIVA), Gunhild Borgersen (NIVA), Arne Duinker (IMR), Peter Haugan (IMR), Cecilie Wathne (Norwegian Blue Fo[...] Read more
Seaweed, Kelp and Sustainable Food Production: Opportunities and barriers for the industry
Arendalsuka 2023 event Seaweed, Kelp and Sustainable Food Production: Opportunities and barriers for the industry Wednesday, August 8th from 19:00 – 20:30 at the GRID-Arendal back garden Event will [...] Read more
Norwegian Executive Summary of Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests
Norwegian Executive Summary of Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests global synthesis report is the most comprehen[...] Read more
NFBN Spring 2023 Newsletter
NBFN SPRING 2023 NEWSLETTER Welcome to the NBFN’s biannual newsletter. Click on the image to view the Spring 2023 edition in PDF. Subscribe to our email list to receive our newsletter directly i[...] Read more
Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests
FULL REPORT – ENGLISH EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTO THE BLUE: SECURING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR KELP FORESTS Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests global synthesis report is the[...] Read more
Launch Event: Webinar for UNEP Reports on Kelp and Mangrove Forests
LAUNCH EVENT: WEBINAR FOR UNEP REPORTS ON KELP AND MANGROVE FORESTS Join UNEP and partners GRID-Arendal, the Norwegian Blue Forests Network and UNEP-WCMC for a webinar on May 2nd 15.00 CEST to launch [...] Read more
Norway is betting on blue forests
Norway is betting on blue forests By Cecilie Wathne (NBFN), Torill Sateroy (GRID-Arendal, NBFN) and Brian Tsuyoshi Takeda (Urchinomics) One Ocean Week got off to a strong start with the Norwegian gov[...] Read more
High integrity nature-based carbon offsetting is vital in the fight against climate change
High Integrity Nature-Based Carbon Offsetting is Vital in the Fight Against Climate Change By Steven Lutz, Senior Programme Officer and Blue Carbon Lead, GRID-Arendal. Repost from GRID-Arendal The con[...] Read more
Sugar kelp forests on the directorates’ rescue list
SUGAR KELP FORESTS ON THE DIRECTORATES’ RESCUE LIST By Trine Bekkby, Eli Rinde, and Hege Gundersen – Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) Sugar kelp forests along the Norwegian coast are [...] Read more
Annual Report 2022
ANNUAL REPORT 2022 English version The importance of coastal ecosystems, including blue forests, continued to gain prominence in 2022. The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27) final declaration inclu[...] Read more
NBFN’s Top Ten Trends Article Launched at Oslo Seminar
NBFN’S TOP TEN TRENDS ARTICLE LAUNCHED AT OSLO SEMINAR Audience participating in the seminar Q&A session  On February 1st, NBFN held a breakfast seminar in Oslo to launch the network’s latest[...] Read more
Top Ten Trends of 2022
NBFN’S TOP TEN TRENDS OF 2022 2022 was a year of contrasts. On the one hand, there was growing interest in blue forests-related issues such as the blue economy, marine protection, and how the oc[...] Read more
Oceans & Blue Carbon at COP27
OCEANS & BLUE CARBON AT COP27 This live blog features oceans, blue forests, and coastal and oceanic blue carbon related side events at UNFCCC COP27 (6 – 18 Nov). This post will be updated th[...] Read more
Norwegian blue forests: What is being done, what more is needed?
NORWEGIAN BLUE FORESTS: WHAT IS BEING DONE, WHAT MORE IS NEEDED? (HYBRID EVENT) We need blue forests. Kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes capture and sequester carbon, boost biodiversity,[...] Read more
Unsung heroes: the hidden value of seagrass meadows
Unsung heroes: the hidden value of seagrass meadows Seagrass meadows are important for climate change mitigation, biodiversity, fisheries, food security, coastal protection, and much more. Yet they co[...] Read more
Learning from the Meadows: Pathways for seagrass conservation and restoration
Learning from the Meadows: Pathways for seagrass conservation and restoration We need to stop, and ideally reverse, the rapid and continued decline of seagrass meadows. Doing so requires placing a gre[...] Read more
Blue Forests of Oslo: Planting seagrass with children to save the fjord (Hybrid event)
BLUE FORESTS OF OSLO: PLANTING SEAGRASS WITH CHILDREN TO SAVE THE FJORD (HYBRID EVENT) Location: Oslofjord Museum (or digital) Date: 29 September 2022 at 08.45 – 09.45 Register: Form here Eelgrass b[...] Read more
Watch Blue Forests Week 2022
BLUE FORESTS WEEK 2022 recordings Follow along with each day’s live events and watch all recordings available after each session.  Webinar #1  Tuesday, November 29th Unsung heroes: The hidden [...] Read more
GEAK Network Holds First Workshop
GEAK NETWORK HOLDS FIRST WORKSHOP GEAK workshop participants gathered at the Institute of Marine Research in Arendal, Norway In June 2022, the Global Ecosystem services Assessment from Kelp forests ([...] Read more
Annual Report 2021
A competence network established by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), GRID-Arendal and the Institute of Marine Research (IMR[...] Read more
Global estimates of the extent and production of macroalgal forests
Click to read the full article GlobAL ESTIMATES OF THE EXTENT AND PRODUCTION OF MACROALGAL FORESTS MAY 2022 Macroalgal habitats are believed to be the most extensive and productive of all coastal vege[...] Read more
Summary of the Norad – NBFN Seminar on Blue Forests and Poverty
Blue forests: valuable nature that contributes to food security and helps against climate and poverty On March 8th for International Women’s Day, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation[...] Read more
Norad – NBFN Blue Forests Seminar
Join us March 8th from 09.00 - 12.00 Central European Time [...] Read more
Stein Fredriksen
Professor, Universitetet i Oslo (UiO)/Havforskningsinstituttet (HI)[...] Read more
Cecilie Wathne
Project leader, Norwegian Blue Forest Network (NBFN)[...] Read more
Erlend Grimsrud
Daglig leder, Fiskarlaget Sør[...] Read more
Gabriella Kossmann
Senior Advisor, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)[...] Read more
Arild Vatn
Professor, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)[...] Read more
Frode Sundnes
Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Signe Christensen-Dalsgaard
Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)[...] Read more
Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran
Fisheries and maritime affairs minister, Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries[...] Read more
Erika Techera
Professor, University of Western Australia[...] Read more
Kira Krumhansl
Senior Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada[...] Read more
Finn Erlend Ødegård
Senior advisor, Norges Bondelag[...] Read more
Henrik Hallgrim Eriksen
Chief Negotiator, Ministry of Climate and Environment Norway (KLD)[...] Read more
Helene Gabestad
Special Advisor, Viken County Municipality[...] Read more
Embrace kelp forests in the coming decade
EMBRACE KELP FORESTS IN THE COMING DECADE Karen Filbee-Dexter and Thomas Wernberg, both researchers at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) and affiliates of the NBFN, published a letter on the impo[...] Read more
Animation: How are blue forests threatened?
Animation: How are blue forests threatened? Blue forests are disappearing at an alarming rate around the world, mainly due to human impacts and climate change. Watch the video to learn more about the [...] Read more
Animation: Why are blue forests useful?
Blue forests provide important ecosystem services such as fish nurseries and grazing areas, shoreline protection from storms and erosion, carbon storage and much more. Watch the video to learn more ab[...] Read more
Alejandro Buschmann
Professor, Universidad de Los Lagos[...] Read more
Jane Glavan
Co-Owner, Distant Imagery[...] Read more
Sondre Haugholt Breian
Sports fishing consultant, Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers (NJFF)[...] Read more
Aleksander Øren Heen
State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Climate and the Environment[...] Read more
Solrun at COP26
Solrun Figenschau Skjellum, the Chair of NBFN's Board, attended COP26 to talk about Blue Forests in the Nordic countries. [...] Read more
Anne Lene Dale
Managing Director, Kystvett AS[...] Read more
Animation: What are blue forests?
Blue forests – eelgrass beds, mangrove forests, kelp forests, rockweed, and saltmarshes – are coastal and marine ecosystems that sequester carbon and provide a multitude of ecosystem services. Wat[...] Read more
Are Karlsen
Mayor, Horten municipality[...] Read more
Gunhild Borgersen
Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Åshild Ergon
Associate professor, Foods of Norway, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)[...] Read more
Nina Dehnhard
Researcher, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA)[...] Read more
Harald B. Hansen
Senior Advisor on Sustainable Oceans, WWF Norway[...] Read more
Oceans & Blue Carbon at COP26
OCEANS & BLUE CARBON AT COP26 This live blog features oceans, blue forests, and coastal and oceanic blue carbon related side events at UNFCCC COP26 (31 Oct – 12 Nov). 28 events are listed. T[...] Read more
Linda Jonsson
Associate Expert, GEF International Waters, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)[...] Read more
Angelique Pouponneau
Chief Executive Officer, SeyCCAT[...] Read more
Olivia Polkinghorne
Associate Expert, GRID-Arendal[...] Read more
Kaya Asdal
Associate Expert, GRID-Arendal[...] Read more
Helena Michelsen
PostDoc, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Hans Kristian Strand
Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Trine Bekkby
Senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Kasper Hancke
Senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Frithjof Moy
Head of research, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Mari Vold Bjordal
Ocean industries adviser, Bellona[...] Read more
Tanya Bryan
Senior Programme Officer, GRID-Arendal[...] Read more
Jan Verbeek
Scientific Manager, SeaForester[...] Read more
Peter Stæhr
Professor, Department of EcoScience, Aarhus University[...] Read more
Hartvig Christie
Senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Peter Haugan
Programme Director, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Takehiro Nakamura
Coordinator of the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)[...] Read more
Peter Harris
Managing Director, GRID-Arendal[...] Read more
Gaute Voigt-Hanssen
Chief negotiator, Ministry of Climate and Environment Norway[...] Read more
Melinda Coleman
Principal Research Scientist, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia[...] Read more
Karen Filbee-Dexter
Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Nordic Blue Carbon
A project led by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), in cooperation with GRID-Arendal, the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Aarhus University and Åbo Akademi University.[...] Read more
Coverage decrease infographic
Infographic 2: Blue Forest coverage globally is decreasing Coverage decrease infographic By Kaya Asdal6th October 2021Read more Biodiversity Policy Brief Sources By Kaya Asdal6th October 2021Read more[...] Read more
Biodiversity infographic
Infographic 1: Blue Forests enhance the global biodiversity Coverage decrease infographic By Kaya Asdal6th October 2021Read more Biodiversity infographic By Kaya Asdal6th October 2021Read more Biodive[...] Read more
Biodiversity Policy Brief Sources
biodiversity policy brief sources[...] Read more
NBFN Strategy
nbfn strategy English version[...] Read more
Landscape Mapping Report
LANDSCAPE MAPPING REPORT English version[...] Read more
Annual Report 2020
A competence network established by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), GRID-Arendal and the Institute ofMarine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Annual Report 2019
ANNUAL REPORT 2019 English version[...] Read more
Biodiversity Policy Brief
biodiversity policy brief English version The World Economic Forum identifies the loss of biodiversity as one of the five biggest threats to the global economy.  Blue forests such as kelp forests, se[...] Read more
Annual Report 2018
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 English version[...] Read more
Blue Forest Week 2020
Blue Forest Week 2020 programme and recordings[...] Read more
Solrun Figenschau Skjellum
Research Director of Sustainable Societal Development, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Thomas Wernberg
Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Even Moland
Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Blue Forest Week: Day 3 (Nov 18)
Blue Forests: Solutions for the Road Ahead[...] Read more
Hege Gundersen
Senior researcher, Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
Blue Forest Week: Day 2 (Nov 17)
Why Care About Norwegian Blue Forests?[...] Read more
Gunnar Sander
Senior Researcher, The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)[...] Read more
ROCKWEED
Blue Forests Basics [...] Read more
SEAGRASS
Blue Forests Basics[...] Read more
SALTMARSHES
Blue Forests Basics[...] Read more
MANGROVES
Blue Forests Basics[...] Read more
Blue Forest Week: Day 1 (Nov 16)
A Global Perspective on Blue Forests[...] Read more
Kjell Magnus Norderhaug
Researcher, Institute of Marine Research (IMR)[...] Read more
Steven Lutz
Blue Carbon Lead, GRID-Arendal[...] Read more
KELP
Blue Forests Basics [...] Read more
Zoom help
Do you need technical assistance with your Zoom account? [...] Read more
Speakers
Learn more about the speakers of Blue Forest Week 2021[...] Read more
Videos
Blue Forest Week 2021: Livestream and Recordings[...] Read more
Norwegian Blue Forest Network invites you to the 2nd Annual Blue Forest Week
Please save the date: Tuesday November 16th to Thursday November 18th, 2021[...] Read more
Ripple effects of further loss of blue forest
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM HIGHLIGHTS LOSS OF NATURAL DIVERSITY AS ONE OF THE FIVE BIGGEST THREATS TO THE WORLD ECONOMY.​ In connection with the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Norwegian B[...] Read more
Landscape Mapping Blue Forests Policy in Norway
Landscape Mapping Blue Forests Policy in Norway The Norwegian Government has granted approximately 327 million Norwegian kroner towards blue forests projects in 25 countries around the world since 201[...] Read more
Burial of Kelp Carbon in Sediments – BURSE
BURIAL OF KELP CARBON IN SEDIMENTS – BURSE BURSE aims at quantifying burial of kelp carbon in soft sediments on deep water. Background Kelps are perennial algae that make up dense forests on shallow[...] Read more
KELPFLOAT
KELPFLOAT aims to quantify the subsidy of kelp material to deeper and shallower ecosystems adjacent to kelp forests, and to identify kelp drift accumulation areas. Background Regime shifts between sea[...] Read more
Raet National Park Marine Ecosystem Service assessment
RAET NATIONAL PARK MARINE ECOSYSTEM SERVICE ASSESSMENT Background Raet National Park is a marine national park, which includes approx. 607 square kilometers of the coastal nature and the sea outside t[...] Read more
Ecosystem Services in the Coastal Zones of the Nordic Countries – CoastalServices
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE COASTAL ZONES OF THE NORDIC COUNTRIES – COASTAL SERVICES The project looked at the values related to important habitats along the Nordic coasts. During the spring of 2016, [...] Read more
TURFALGAE workshop
TURFALGAE WORKSHOP  With support from NBNF and RCN (The Research Council of Norway), NIVA arranged an international workshop on turf algae in Oslo from May 31st to June 2nd, 2017 where the threats po[...] Read more
Blue Forests, Jazz and Tapas
BLUE FORESTS, JAZZ AND TAPAS What are Blue Forests? Did you know that Blue Forests can help us fight climate change? Join us at this uplifting evening event with jazz from the famous musicians Rasmus [...] Read more
Presentation at The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
PRESENTATION AT THE NORWEGIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND LETTERS On Monday 2nd September 2017, Hege Gundersen (NIVA) and Glen Peters (CICERO) were invited from The Norwegian Academy of Science and Lette[...] Read more
Interview at NRK Radio- Ekko
INTERVIEW AT NRK RADIO- EKKO On Wednesday, September 11, 2017, Hartvig Christie and Hege Gundersen were interviewed at NRK Ekko about the status of kelp forests in Norway and the role of blue forests [...] Read more
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL Reposted story from GRID-Arendal Seagrasses help fight climate change in Norway Human activity releases 9.9 Gt of carbon every year. That’s 9,900,000,000 tonnes –[...] Read more
KELCO WORKSHOP
KLECO WORKSHOP Role of kelp export in shaping adjacent benthic ecosystems: steps for international collaboration Oslo, 19-20 September 2017 The main goal of the KELCO workshop was to bring together na[...] Read more
Integrating mangrove forests into REDD+ workshop
INTEGRATING MANGROVE FORESTS INTO REDD+ WORKSHOP Organised by the Norwegian Blue Forest Network and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) Oslo, October 16-17 The goal of the w[...] Read more
Annual Report 2017
Annual Report 2017 At NBFN we take pride in our work for blue forests. 2017 saw a myriad of activities; from scientific trips to the lush seagrass meadows and kelp forests, and policy engagement at th[...] Read more
Will climate change affect Norwegian kelp forests in a positive way?
WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT NORWEGIAN KELP FORESTS IN A POSITIVE WAY? Originally posted: http://sciencenordic.com/will-climate-change-affect-norwegian-kelp-forests-positive-way Climate change, includin[...] Read more
New video on kelp forests
New video on kelp forests What you wanted to know about kelp but were afraid to ask Kelp Forests are underwater ecosystems formed in shallow waters. Although they look very much like plants, kelps are[...] Read more
NBFN at The REDD+ Exchange 2018
NBFN AT THE REDD+ EXCHANGE 2018 Oslo Tropical Forest Forum 2018, 27-28 June, Oslo This session follows from a preparatory workshop organized jointly by Norway’s International Climate and Forest Init[...] Read more
Establishing an International Seagrass Experts Network
ESTABLISHING AN INTERNATIONAL SEAGRASS EXPERTS NETWORK Towards an international seagrass science, policy and conservation agenda, International Seagrass Biology Workshop 13–15 June 2018, Singapore S[...] Read more
NBFN on Arendalsuka 2018
“SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN BLUE FORESTS” Welcome to the NBFN’s blue forests evening event on Thursday, August 16th from 7-10pm at Le Monde, Arendal. WIll you be joining? Feel free to share with [...] Read more
New Video!
NEW VIDEO! What if someone told you that you could use seaweed as an ingredient in your bread, drink water from a seaweed-membrane bottle, and use seagrass as a primary raw material for your mobile ph[...] Read more
Marine life – deep sea heroes fighting climate change
MARINE LIFE – DEEP SEA HEROES FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE Originally published: https://news.gefblueforests.org/marine-life-deep-sea-heroes-fighting-climate-change  Most efforts to address carbon emiss[...] Read more
New Insight into the Fate of Blue ‘Kelp’ Carbon
NEW INSIGHT INTO THE FATE OF BLUE ‘KELP’ CARBON A new research paper in Nature Scientific Reports shows that detached kelp fragments can be transported many kilometers, and have the potential to r[...] Read more
Workshop in Granada about the role of macroalgae in the global carbon budget
WORKSHOP IN GRANADA ABOUT THE ROLE OF MACROALGAE IN THE GLOBAL CARBON BUDGET Sixteen researchers from Europe, Australia and USA were in April gathered in Granada to discuss the role of macroalgae in t[...] Read more
NBFN at the International Blue Carbon Initiative meeting in Copenhagen
NBFN AT THE INTERNATIONAL BLUE CARBON INITIATIVE MEETING IN COPENHAGEN The Blue Carbon Initiative Scientific Working Group met in Copenhagen, Denmark, from September 9-13, 2019. The focus of this meet[...] Read more
Save the date: Norwegian Blue Forests Forum
We are excited to announce the dates for this year’s event organized by the Norwegian Blue Forests Network. When: Spring 2020 Where: Oslo, Norway (Venue TBC) What: An arena to stimulate knowledge-ex[...] Read more
Verdien av havets økosystemer
I Norge har vi fire marine nasjonalparker. Det vi kan se av nasjonalparkene er stort sett strender, svaberg og steiner, men resten består av et stort blått teppe. Så hvilken verdi har dette teppet [...] Read more
Integrating mangrove forests into REDD+ workshop
Organised by the Norwegian Blue Forest Network and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) Oslo, October 16-17   The goals of the workshop were to Identify key challeng[...] Read more
TURFALGAE workshop
Threats of turf algae on blue forests Oslo, 31 May – 2 June 2017 With support from NBNF and RCN (The Research Council of Norway), NIVA arranged an international workshop on turf algae and the th[...] Read more