SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark environmental partnership, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has joined forces with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI to launch the nation’s first aviation-sector promoted blue carbon initiative. The collaborative effort, formalized through a signed letter of intent, establishes a pioneering pilot project dedicated to preserving coastal and marine ecosystems while simultaneously advancing climate action objectives and biodiversity conservation.
The innovative program will investigate mechanisms to enhance ecosystem conservation, boost climate change resilience, and potentially incorporate environmental initiatives into voluntary carbon markets. Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez emphasized the critical importance of coastal and marine ecosystems to the national economy, noting their vital support for tourism, maritime commerce, and fishing industries—all sectors facing escalating pressures from climate change and habitat degradation.
Project implementation will commence with a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating technical, environmental, and regulatory frameworks. Damien Stephan, representing the airport operator, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with parent company VINCI Airports’ decarbonization strategy, which encompasses expanded renewable energy utilization and support for environmental solutions.
Government authorities characterized the agreement as a significant advancement toward developing nature-based climate solutions while strengthening environmental governance and sustainable development initiatives throughout the Dominican Republic.