Exploring Seaweed's Role in Climate Action: Highlights from the Kelp for Climate Tour, Blue Carbon Opportunities, and the Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Summit

In October, Greenwave Aotearoa and EnviroStrat had the pleasure of hosting the Kelp for Climate Tour with global seaweed expert Peter Green. Based in the UK and known for his influential Paxtier Report, Peter is at the forefront of research into seaweed, blue carbon, and marine biotechnology. His expertise provided invaluable insights into the opportunities for seaweed farming across New Zealand, the Pacific, and Australia to drive climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable economic development.

This tour, which included a keynote address from Peter at the Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Summit in Nelson, brought together national and international stakeholders committed to leveraging seaweed’s potential for climate action. Peter joined our senior project manager Rebecca Barclay-Cameron at the summit, where they presented alongside other speakers, including Paul Dobbins of World Wildlife Fund and Dean Steinke of DSA Ocean. These speakers shared actionable strategies for advancing seaweed farming as a natural climate solution, exploring its capacity to capture carbon, support marine biodiversity, and contribute to local economies.

Blue Carbon Opportunities and New Zealand’s Role in Seaweed Innovation

In addition to the tour, Greenwave Aotearoa and EnviroStrat hosted the Blue Carbon Opportunities and Perspectives event at Forsyth Barr in October 2024. This event deepened our discussions on blue carbon’s role in environmental sustainability, providing a platform for investors and environmental professionals to explore the investment potential in seaweed and other regenerative ocean projects. We discussed the progress in blue carbon research, which is illuminating how seaweed farming could serve as a viable carbon sink and mitigation tool.

During his time in New Zealand, Peter underscored that local seaweed species, if commercially farmed, could provide access to high-value markets through biostimulants, nutraceuticals, and compounds with applications across various industries. As detailed in the Paxtier Report, Peter highlighted recent shifts in the seaweed sector that reinforce its role as a natural solution to climate challenges:

~ Biostimulants: With short-term applications in agricultural sustainability, this area remains the leading market opportunity.

~ Nutraceuticals: Growing demand for health-benefiting seaweed extracts has advanced this sector’s appeal.

~ Pet Food and Animal Feed: Although interest has moderated, the sector holds considerable promise.

~ Methane Reduction and Bioplastics: These areas are increasingly viewed as pivotal for seaweed-based innovations aligned with sustainability goals.

Peter also shared Japan’s example of valuing seaweed’s carbon removal role as part of kelp forest restoration, illustrating how blue carbon’s economic valuation can promote ecosystem health and resilience. This approach, he noted, not only supports kelp ecosystems but extends benefits to local communities, creating a broader positive impact.

Key Themes in New Zealand’s Seaweed Sector Growth

Three themes emerged across summit presentations and discussions, underscoring priorities for the future of New Zealand’s seaweed sector:

1. Opportunity: Seaweed farming offers ecosystem benefits, supports biodiversity, and holds significant potential for economic growth.

2. Diversification: Developing diverse income streams, such as biodiversity and blue carbon credits and high-value product innovations, will be key to resilience.

3. Collaboration: Success requires partnerships across scientists, investors, policymakers, and local communities to support knowledge sharing and coordinated growth.

Building Community and Excitement in the Seaweed Sector

The summit featured huddles of animated discussions, as attendees connected over their shared enthusiasm for advancing seaweed’s potential. The energy and dedication in this emerging industry signal a positive direction for seaweed in Aotearoa. We extend our gratitude to the Aotearoa New Zealand Seaweed Association for organizing a successful summit, and we look forward to collaborating further to create a thriving seaweed sector in New Zealand.

RNZ Interview with Insights from Tour

Peter did an RNZ interview with Mark Leishman, sharing his learnings from the Kelp for Climate Tour. He highlighted that if New Zealand were to expand commercial seaweed farming—an area Greenwave Aotearoa is piloting—there’s potential for significant impact using native species with high-value markets for their compounds and extracts. He also discussed the blue carbon perspective, noting that while carbon capture data is still developing, Japan’s approach of valuing seaweed’s carbon removal role is supporting kelp restoration with benefits that extend beyond economics. Listen to his full insights on RNZ for more.

Join Us on This Journey

If you’re interested in seaweed’s future, subscribe to the Greenwave Aotearoa newsletter for ongoing updates and insights. We are committed to driving sustainable growth in seaweed farming that benefits both the environment and society.

Together, we can create a resilient future where seaweed plays a central role in climate solutions, nature restoration, and economic growth.