Hawaii Senate Bill SR129

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Refer: 3/27/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Passed: 4/4/24

Caption

Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development To Convene A Working Group To Develop Recommendations To Expand Blue Carbon Initiatives In The State.

Impact

The bill calls for the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to convene a working group composed of various stakeholders, including government agencies, environmental organizations, researchers, and community representatives. This collaborative group is tasked with evaluating existing blue carbon initiatives, their effectiveness in mitigating climate change, and exploring ways to enhance these efforts. The working group will also develop a standardized method for measuring carbon sequestration achieved through blue carbon projects, which could provide a clearer picture of their environmental benefits and guide future policy decisions.

Summary

Senate Resolution 129, introduced in Hawaii's Thirty-Second Legislature in 2024, aims to address climate change by developing recommendations to expand blue carbon initiatives in the state. Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored in marine and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, which play a critical role in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The resolution highlights the importance of these ecosystems in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the state’s goals for carbon sequestration.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience, it may encounter some points of contention regarding the balancing of economic activities against environmental protections. Concerns may arise from developers and industries that operate near coastal areas where these ecosystems exist, as increased regulations or changes to land use could affect their operations. Moreover, discussions surrounding the effectiveness of various blue carbon strategies, particularly in how they align with broader state goals on climate change and sustainable development, may also surface during the working group's deliberations.