Singapore accelerates innovation in nature-based carbon solutions through two new initiatives 

• WWF launches Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP), supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB,) to boost development of high-integrity blue carbon projects
• The Office for Science Technology & Industry’s (OSTIn) Biomass Grant Call aims to build a robust innovation pipeline by supporting early-stage research in nature-based carbon solutions

15 January 2026 – The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore today announced the launch of the Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP), an initiative to catalyse science-based, technology-enabled solutions that strengthen the development of high-quality blue carbon[1] projects across Asia. The programme builds on Blue Catalyst, an open innovation challenge organised by WWF-Singapore and Hatch Blue[2] designed to unlock technological solutions to scale high-quality blue carbon ecosystems across Asia and beyond.

The announcement was made at the “Carbon x Tech: The Next Wave of Climate Innovation” event in Singapore. At this event, the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Singapore’s national space office under EDB, also announced a biomass[3] grant call to advance and develop upstream research, data solutions, and methodologies for nature-based carbon solutions to be developed in partnership with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Research Institutes (RIs). The grant will support the application of space-enabled and digital technologies through digital measurement, reporting, and verification (dMRV), which harnesses remote sensing data and geospatial analytics.

Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP)
Through the BCSP, WWF-Singapore will partner selected technology startups, solution providers, research organisations and carbon project developers to address key MRV and implementation challenges that constrain the development of high-quality blue carbon credits in Asia. Specifically, WWF-Singapore’s collaboration with Singapore-based technology providers will be supported by EDB’s Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT) scheme[4].

BCSP will provide training and technical support to project developers to build market, technical and operational readiness for blue carbon projects. It will also support co-development, piloting and deployment of novel and existing field-ready solutions across priority areas including geospatial analysis, carbon and biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement. Further, technologies identified by the Blue Catalyst open innovation challenge will be piloted by WWF and its partners, as part of the BCSP.

Please refer to Annex A for more information on BCSP.

BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call
OSTIn’s biomass dMRV grant call focuses on upstream research and methodology development to complement these downstream deployment efforts. It will support the use of satellite, geospatial and digital technologies to improve how biomass is measured, monitored and verified across diverse ecosystems, including forests and coastal environments. By advancing and developing more accurate, transparent and scalable approaches to carbon measurement, the grant call aims to enhance the integrity of carbon credits while building capabilities and commercial solutions that can be applied across Southeast Asia and regions within the Equatorial belt.

Please refer to Annex B for more information on the grant call.

Fostering partnerships to boost decarbonisation
The newly announced initiatives reflect Singapore’s efforts to foster deep cross-sectoral partnerships in carbon services and trading. OSTIn’s biomass grant call will primarily support local IHLs and RIs, while encouraging collaborations with industry partners and relevant stakeholders. BCSP will bring WWF’s global network of experts together with startups and solution providers to co-develop and scale practical technologies for use at carbon project sites.

By strengthening capabilities from early-stage research through to deployment, Singapore aims to build a robust innovation pipeline that supports regional decarbonisation efforts while anchoring high-value climate and nature activities here.

“High-integrity nature-based carbon solutions depend on scientific rigour, transparent measurement and effective delivery on the ground. Through the Blue Carbon Support Programme, together with EDB, WWF-Singapore is working with technology providers, researchers and project developers to bridge innovation with real-world project needs – strengthening credibility and scale through targeted training, technical support and deployment across Asia. By anchoring expertise, partnerships and project deployment in Singapore, we see this as an important step in positioning the country as a regional platform for high-integrity blue carbon solutions that support decarbonisation while delivering meaningful climate, biodiversity and community outcomes,” said Mr. Rueban Manokara, Global Lead of the Carbon Finance and Markets Taskforce, WWF-Singapore.

“With 25% of global nature-based solutions located in our region, Singapore is uniquely positioned to catalyse regional climate action. We are committed to mobilising our deep research and innovation capabilities to enhance the carbon mitigation potential of Southeast Asia, and working with trusted partners to grow Singapore’s carbon services ecosystem,” said Mr. Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board.

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About WWF-Singapore

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As one of WWF’s international hubs, WWF-Singapore supports a global network spanning over 100 countries. WWF-Singapore works closely with local stakeholders towards a greener and more sustainable Singapore and the region around us. We work to address key conservation areas, such as deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, oceans, food security, sustainable finance and sustainable consumption through education and outreach efforts with individuals, businesses and governments. For more information, please visit wwf.sg.

About the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is responsible for strategies that enhance Singapore’s position as a global centre for business, innovation, and talent. We undertake investment promotion and industry development, and work with international businesses, both foreign and local, by providing information, connection to partners and access to government incentives for their investments. Our mission is to create sustainable economic growth, with vibrant business and good job opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans. For more information on EDB, please visit edb.gov.sg.

[1] Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, peatlands and coastal wetlands, are among the planet’s most powerful natural climate solutions, storing carbon up to four times more efficiently than terrestrial forests.

[2] WWF and Hatch Blue announced the Open Innovation Challenge in September 2025. See here: https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/about-edb/media-releases-publications/wwf-hatch-blue-launch-blue-carbon-innovation-challenge.html

[3] Biomass refers to organic materials from both green carbon (terrestrial: forests, agriculture) and blue carbon (coastal/marine: mangroves, seagrasses and seaweeds) ecosystems. These organic materials serve as carbon reservoirs, so accurate biomass measurement is essential for carbon stock calculations and carbon credits verification.

[4] PACT refers to the Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT) grant supports partnerships between multinational corporations/large local enterprises, and Singapore-based local SMEs. More details: https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/incentives-and-programmes/incentives-and-facilitation-programmes/partnerships-for-capability-transformation-pact-scheme.html

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Annex A

Media Factsheet: WWF-EDB Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP)

Overview
The World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore), with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), has launched the Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP) – an initiative focused on strengthening the readiness, deployment and scaling of high-integrity blue carbon projects.

Building on the Blue Catalyst open innovation challenge announced at New York Climate Week 2025, BCSP bridges innovation with real-world project needs by supporting the validation, deployment and adoption of field-ready solutions. The programme works with technology providers, researchers and project developers to strengthen scientific rigour, monitoring and implementation outcomes, enabling credible blue carbon project development across Asia while anchoring innovation and capabilities in Singapore.

Key Facts & Context
• Blue carbon ecosystems store significantly more carbon than terrestrial forests while delivering critical biodiversity and coastal protection benefits
• Southeast Asia has lost more than 30% of its mangroves over the past forty years
• High-integrity blue carbon projects require strong science, reliable data, credible monitoring systems and robust community safeguards, which remain uneven across many projects today
• Addressing technical and operational gaps is essential to unlock scalable, investment-ready blue carbon projects

Programme Details
Name: Blue Carbon Support Programme (BCSP)
Duration: Three years
Geographic focus: Anchored in Singapore, supporting project deployment and collaboration across Asia
Programme focus: Capacity building of blue carbon project developers to build market, technical and operational readiness for blue carbon projects. Downstream validation, deployment and adoption of solutions that strengthen the integrity, effectiveness and scalability of blue carbon projects.
 

Target Participants
BCSP works with a curated group of partners across the blue carbon value chain, including:
• Carbon project developers and asset owners – implementing blue carbon projects and deploying solutions on the ground
• Technology startups and solution providers – co-developing and refining tools that address technical and MRV challenges
• Research organisations and experts – strengthening scientific rigour, data quality and monitoring approaches

Participation is selective and aligned with programme readiness and deployment objectives.

How BCSP Works

1.Technology Validation and Deployment
BCSP supports the co-development, piloting and deployment of field-ready solutions that address technical and operational challenges in blue carbon project development.

WWF-Singapore works closely with project developers to identify real-world needs, ensuring solutions are practical, deployment-ready and aligned with on-the-ground project conditions. Technology providers lead technical development, with WWF supporting solution refinement and validation, including piloting at selected project sites.

The technology solutions will be developed across seven thematic areas:
• Geospatial mapping and data integration
• Carbon stock modelling
• Accessing remote and fragmented project sites
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) flux measurement and modelling
• Improving sapling survival
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Community engagement and safeguards

2.Building Project Developers’ Capacity for Technology Adoption
The programme delivers targeted training and hands-on technical support to enable project developers to effectively adopt and apply new tools within their project contexts.

This approach helps translate innovation into operational impact, strengthening project readiness and long-term performance.

The Problem BCSP Addresses
Many blue carbon project developers face persistent technical gaps in monitoring, modelling, baseline assessment, biodiversity measurement and field implementation.

These gaps undermine project integrity. Globally, a significant proportion of mangrove restoration projects have failed, in part due to the lack of specialised tools for carbon measurement, restoration planning and the delivery of positive biodiversity and social outcomes.

BCSP directly addresses these barriers to enable high-integrity projects to emerge, scale and attract investment.

Expected Outcomes
BCSP delivers clear, trackable outcomes, including:
• Number of project developers trained
• Number of technology tools co-developed and piloted
• Adoption of validated solutions by carbon project developers

Why BCSP Matters
• Strengthens the scientific and operational integrity of blue carbon projects
• Improves the credibility of climate outcomes aligned with international frameworks
• Enhances biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem health
• Supports the development of a credible, scalable pipeline of blue carbon projects
• By anchoring expertise, partnerships and deployment in Singapore, BCSP supports Singapore in its ambition to be a regional lighthouse for carbon markets and nature-based solutions

Annex B

Media Factsheet: BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call

Background
Carbon markets drive global climate action, yet their credibility hinges on precise, transparent measurement of carbon sequestration and emissions reductions. Traditional Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) processes often rely on labour-intensive ground surveys that are costly, time-consuming, and limited in spatial and temporal coverage. This creates challenges in ensuring the integrity of carbon credits, particularly for nature-based solutions across Southeast Asia’s diverse ecosystems.

Digital MRV (dMRV) leverages satellite remote sensing data, real-time analytics, and geospatial intelligence to enhance traditional MRV processes. By providing comprehensive, repeatable and high-frequency observations across vast areas, dMRV offers transparency, efficiency, and scalability in measuring, reporting, and verifying the impact of carbon mitigation projects. This technology is particularly valuable for monitoring biomass in Southeast Asia’s green carbon systems (terrestrial forests and vegetation) and blue carbon systems (mangroves, seagrass beds, and seaweed habitats).

The BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call, an initiative by the Office for Space Technology and Industry, Singapore (OSTIn), advances the development and validation of dMRV methodologies and technologies incorporating satellite remote sensing. This grant call supports Singapore’s need to secure high integrity carbon offsets as part of the nation’s pathway towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while positioning Singapore as a leading Geospatial Centre for sustainability and climate applications for Southeast Asia and the Equatorial Belt.

Recognising that advancing carbon credit integrity requires collaboration across the ecosystem, the BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call aims to bring together research institutions and technology providers to develop solutions that are scientifically robust, deployable, and scalable across the region.

Strategic Goals for the BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call
The BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call has three key goals:
• Enhance carbon credit integrity and transparency by developing and validating dMRV methodologies and enhancing technologies that significantly improve the accuracy, transparency and integrity of carbon offset monitoring. This supports Singapore’s net-zero pathway and contributes to global efforts to ensure high-quality carbon markets that can effectively drive climate action.

• Promote ecosystem collaboration and commercial viability by catalysing partnerships between research institutions and technology companies. The grant call seeks to develop solutions that demonstrate clear commercial pathways, ensuring that innovations translate into practical tools that can be adopted by the carbon credit ecosystem and scaled across the region.
• Build regional remote sensing capabilities by positioning Singapore as a leading geospatial centre through the development of advanced satellite remote sensing and AI/ML capabilities focusing on Southeast Asian and equatorial ecosystems. By fostering knowledge exchange and technical expertise, the grant call aims to create capabilities that can be commercialised and exported to address similar challenges globally.

Structure of the BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call
The BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call is designed as a collaborative funding mechanism that brings together research excellence and industry expertise to develop practical, deployable dMRV solutions:
• Lead Applicants comprise local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Research Institutes (RIs) who bring scientific rigour, research capabilities, and expertise in Earth Observation technologies, AI/ML modelling, and carbon science. They are responsible for developing and validating innovative dMRV methodologies that address the technical challenges of biomass estimation in Southeast Asian ecosystems.
• Industry Co-Applicants include technology companies, carbon project developers, satellite operators, Earth Observation data providers, carbon rating entities and environmental consulting firms who ensure the economic viability, practical applicability, and scalability of proposed solutions. Industry partners must contribute a minimum of 30% co-funding and collaborate closely on implementation pathways that lead to adoption by the carbon credit ecosystem.
• Ecosystem Stakeholders such as carbon credit registries, Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs), and research institutions from Article 6 partner countries are encouraged to participate as collaborators. Their involvement ensures that developed methodologies align with market requirements and regulatory frameworks, facilitating faster adoption and deployment.
• OSTIn serves as the grantor for the BIOMASS dMRV Grant Call, providing overall coordination, strategic direction, and ensuring funded projects are aligned with Singapore’s overall objectives. OSTIn is Singapore’s national space office and drives the development of space technologies to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global hub for aviation, maritime, connectivity, and sustainability.

Interested applicants may submit their applications through OSTIn’s website at www.space.gov.sg.