Seaweed can help boost livelihoods, tackle climate change

Geneva: A UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) study highlights the significant potential of seaweed in addressing climate action, food security, and gender equality. Despite its versatility and economic importance, seaweed often remains overshadowed by fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Chantal Line Carpentier, head of UNCTAD’s trade and environment branch, emphasizes seaweed’s multifaceted benefits in advancing sustainable development goals. It serves as food, industrial raw material, and contributes to environmental projects like carbon capture and renewable energy production.

Seaweed addresses nutritional deficiencies and has a low ecological footprint, requiring minimal land, water, and fertilizers for production. It absorbs more carbon than tropical forests or mangroves.

However, the lack of global regulations and standards hampers its full potential in addressing global challenges like hunger and environmental pollution.

Despite these challenges, the global seaweed market has tripled over the last two decades, reaching $17 billion in 2021. While it constitutes a small portion of the fisheries market, its rapid growth indicates promising opportunities.

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Seaweed’s potential extends beyond food and aquaculture sectors, with opportunities to replace fossil fuels in industries like textiles and plastics.

David Vivas Eugui, chief of UNCTAD’s ocean and circular economy section, emphasizes the role of seaweed in income diversification and local employment, particularly benefiting women, youth, and indigenous communities.

However, international trade in seaweed remains underexplored, with only 14% of the total market value represented. Chile, China, Indonesia, Ireland, and the Republic of Korea dominate seaweed exports, indicating room for further exploration and diversification.

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