The Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services

The Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services (ACES) is a Scottish registered charity set up with the aim of conserving coastal habitats in tropical regions whilst working towards alleviating poverty around such habitats. The mechanism for achieving this is through the use of payments for ecosystem services, primarily carbon based credit schemes. It’s first pioneering project, a community based payment-for-ecosystem services conservation project called Mikoko Pamoja was set up by the communities of Gazi and Makongeni to conserve their nearby mangrove forests. In doing so, the carbon that has be stored as a result of these forests not being cut down, has meant that the communities are able to benefit from the sale of carbon credits, issued by the Plan Vivo Foundation, a third party, independent non-profit organization also based in Scotland. The money earned from these credits to date, has funded communal community development projects such as supplying new roofing materials for Gazi primary school and by paying for new books for the school of Macongeni Village. Through research and education, The Association for Coastal Ecosystem Services has assisted in building capacity for the project, in order to ensure its long-term persistence. Together with numerous research institutions and other non-profit organizations, ACES hopes Mikoko Pamoja can act as a model for a successful payments-for-ecosystems services project in East Africa, the first of its kind with a focus of mangrove conservation and poverty alleviation. We hope to expand our efforts in the future, with partners and private individuals who wish to contribute, making a difference for the people living in these volatile regions of the world, and the habitats that surround them.