Fujitsu has developed a technology that it says can rapidly and accurately quantify blue carbon–carbon absorbed and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems–from seaweed and seagrass. The company hopes to use the technology to support restoration and conservation of seagrass beds and certify blue carbon credits.
Part of Fujitsu‘s ocean digital twin technology, the tool uses drones and AI for data collection, measurement, ecosystem recognition, blue carbon quantification, and support for recovery and conservation activities. The company says its tool can quantify blue carbon absorption based on species and density using a mathematical model. It can then simulate seagrass bed creation by predicting the multifaceted impacts of human intervention (e.g., changes in seawater temperature, installation of artificial structures) and symbiotic relationships with other ecosystems.
Seagrass, including seaweed, is crucial for sequestering carbon, protecting coastlines and supporting marine biodiversity. Scientists estimate 10% of the total organic carbon sequestered in the ocean is buried in the soils below seagrass meadows, which also buffer coastal communities from the full impact of waves and protect coastlines from erosion. Experts estimate that one-fifth of the world’s most-landed fish species use seagrass as nursery areas, including many commercially important species. Seagrass roots also stabilize ocean sediments.
Fujitsu said it has built an end-to-end system to support the acquisition of blue carbon credits. The company collaborated with the Uwakai Institute for Environmental Biology, the Yoshida Branch of the Ehime Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative Association, and Uwajima City to quantify blue carbon in the Uwa Sea. It submitted an application for blue carbon credit certification and issuance to the Japan Blue Economy Technology Research Association. The project received J-Blue Credit certification, a certification system for blue carbon credits in Japan, with a 95% accreditation rate for the applied actual area of 1.8 hectares.
It has been validated to measure and recognize with over 85% accuracy and quantify blue carbon in areas exceeding 1 hectare, in 1/100th of the time previously required (i.e., approximately 30 minutes per hectare).
The company plans to expand the application of the new technology to include inspections of marine facilities such as offshore wind power generation to contribute to decarbonization, and environmental surveys before and after marine construction. By advancing ocean digital twin technology and building partnerships with companies, local governments, and organizations engaged in carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation, Fujitsu aims to realize businesses that balance environmental preservation and economic growth by 2027.
