REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPAND BLUE CARBON INITIATIVES IN THE STATE.

This Senate resolution asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to form a working group that will study ways to grow blue carbon projects in Hawaii. Blue carbon refers to carbon stored in coastal ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses, which help reduce greenhouse gases. The proposed group will include government officials, elected representatives, community leaders, and experts to review current efforts and international models. Their main tasks are to evaluate existing programs, create a standard way to measure carbon savings, and suggest new policies for expansion. The group must submit its findings and any proposed laws to the Legislature by the start of the 2025 session.