Worldview International Foundation (WIF) is a globally recognized non-profit founded in 1979 who has pioneered over 620 sustainable development projects in 25 countries. As leading specialists in Blue Carbon, WIF has established one of the world’s largest mangrove seed banks and attains a record survival rate of over 90% in their mangrove and seagrass restoration projects.
To date, WIF has planted 75 million mangroves and is one of the largest global issuers of Blue Carbon credits. Their goal is to restore 1 billion trees to mangrove forests by 2030, mitigating over 500 million tonnes of CO2 during 25 years of tree growth.
WIF was established and is led by Arne Fjørtoft, former leader of the Norwegian green liberal party, and a pioneer in wetland restoration. WIF is advised by several global leaders including the former Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden and Former Minister of the Environment of Norway.
Geographic Reach of Worldview’s Existing and Future Operations
Our Projects with WIF
Worldview’s global partnerships provide CNR with access to an extensive pipeline of mangrove restoration projects, and therefore significant scalability.
Currently, CNR is financing the Bokepyin Blue Carbon project (Tanin I), situated on the southern shore on the Taninthayi Region in Myanmar. CNR and WIF together plan to restore a total of 12,000 hectares of degraded coastal wetland planting five locally native mangrove species by the end of 2025. In September 2022, WIF completed the first phase of planting: 1,500 hectares of mangrove forest at a density of 2,500 per hectare. This means that there are now an estimated 3.75 million mangroves growing within this Phase 1 planting area. Over the next 27 years, this project is expected to remove a total of 15.1 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.
CNR plans to finance three additional projects in Myanmar and Sri Lanka over the next four years, as well other new high-impact projects across multiple geographies.
Degradation (true colour composite of Landsat images of project area)
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Restoration
Start of project(2021)TodayFuture
Image Description: True colour satellite images showing ecosystem degradation of the project area, and site images from 2021 and today showing restoration underway
Impact Highlights
3.75 million
mangrove trees have been planted
1500 hectares
of degraded coastal wetland have been restored
15.1 million
tons of CO2 to be removed from the atmosphere by the whole project over the next 27 years*
400
local jobs created
~16000
lives expected to be positively impacted*
6
critically endangered mangrove species reported in the area
*Estimated future outcomes from investments committed
Environmental Benefits:
Environmental Benefits:
Mangrove restoration delivers high climate impact. Removing ~75-80 tonnes of CO2 per hectare each year in their carbon-rich soils and tree biomass, mangroves store approximately 10x more carbon than mature tropical forests per hectare!
Coastal mangrove wetlands provide many vital ecoservices. They reduce erosion, provide a cooling effect, and act as a strong coastal barrier against extreme weather, protecting property and people inland. They also filter and purify seawater, improving the health of nearby ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass.
Mangrove restoration also has important implications for local biodiversity. At least six individuals of the globally ‘critically endangered’ mangrove Brugeria hainessii have been recorded in the Bokepyin project area. Mammals and birds categorized by the IUCN as ‘vulnerable’ have also been recorded including the Finless Porpoise, the smooth-coated otter and the lesser Adjutant Stork which are globally threatened, and saltwater crocodiles which are regionally very rare.
Mangrove forests also provide sustenance and shelter for small fish, resulting in 50% more seafood.
*SDGs to be confirmed by the respective carbon credit verification body
Social Benefits:
Social Benefits:
400 local villagers have been employed and trained by WIF to aid in mangrove planting and seed collection activities, providing decent work opportunities and local economic benefits.
The project area is home to many disadvantaged and vulnerable coastal communities. WIF provides technical guidance and financial assistance for community development projects that promote sustainable livelihoods. These projects are done in consultation with local stakeholders for full transparency and participation in decision-making, and to prioritise projects that promote ownership, ensure gender equality, include vulnerable groups, and have the highest impact. Projects include:
Fuel-efficient stove-making, reducing the demand for wood fuel and promoting forest conservation.
Rainwater harvesting, ensuring year-round access to freshwater, as well as hygiene and health awareness sessions, especially for women.
Income-generating activities such as aquaculture, mushroom, and seaweed production.
Provision of educational supplies and learning opportunities for children facing poverty.
Supply of basic food items for the most vulnerable households.
School-based awareness programs and public communication materials to educate communities on conservation and the global and local benefits of mangroves.
A partnership with the local University of Forestry and Environmental Sciences has been established so that as more data on species growth is collected and verified, WIF’s projects may actively contribute to academic research and development efforts around mangrove restoration.
*SDGs to be confirmed by the respective carbon credit verification body
“In the past, I didn’t have any income job apart from my household work. When WIF came to our community, we got job opportunities and equal women's participation in the project together with men in mangrove restoration and conservation… WIF has supported not only creating job opportunities but also provided school items (books, umbrellas) for students, providing fuel-efficient stoves to households, and food items to the communities.”
