Integrating Blue Carbon Ecosystem assessments and institutional carbon footprint: toward a holistic approach to climate mitigation

Climate change is a global challenge with profound implications for natural ecosystems, economies and human societies. The primary driver of climate change is the rising atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG), particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), which reflects the balance between anthropogenic emissions and natural carbon fluxes within major carbon reservoirs, such as the terrestrial biosphere and the oceans. Effectively addressing this challenge requires strategies that reduce emissions while enhancing carbon sequestration. In this context, coastal Blue Carbon (BC) ecosystems have gained international recognition as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) for capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂, thereby contributing to global mitigation efforts. However, understanding of their ecological functions, carbon storage potential and socio-economic value remains incomplete, particularly in the European and Mediterranean regions. Building on these considerations, this research adopts a dual approach, investigating both natural BC ecosystems and institutional carbon management. It first investigated the ecological value of BC ecosystems and assessed their role as natural assets for climate mitigation, while simultaneously evaluating the environmental performance of the University of Palermo to identify emission reduction strategies consistent with 2050 decarbonisation targets. This multidisciplinary framework integrated ecological, spatial and economic assessments of BC ecosystems with an institutional Carbon Footprint analysis, quantifying GHG emissions from university activities and providing a holistic perspective on nature-based and institutional mitigation actions. Firstly, a systematic review of European and Mediterranean BC coastal habitats, focusing on saltmarshes and seagrass ecosystems, revealed significant knowledge gaps and spatial variability in carbon accumulation between protected and unprotected areas, highlighting the need for more targeted management and policy interventions. A detailed case study of Capo Feto coastal wetland (Sicily), a protected BC habitat in the Mediterranean region, combined field measurements, remote sensing and spatio-temporal modelling to assess sedimentary carbon storage patterns and processes. The results demostrated distinct spatial gradients among habitat types, indicating substantial potential for sedimentary carbon sequestration. Finally, an economic evaluation using the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) quantified the monetary value of stored carbon, providing insights for natural capital accounting and conservation planning. The institutional Carbon Footprint analysis of the University of Palermo (UNIPA) produced the first comprehensive GHG inventory, enabling accurate measurement and communication of both direct and indirect emissions from academic activities. The analysis identified targeted mitigation measures, underlining the strategic role of universities in promoting climate accountability and operational decarbonisation. Overall, this research advanced an integrated understanding of BC ecosystems and institutional emissions, highlighting the importance of coastal habitats for carbon mitigation and the role of universities in supporting sustainable and low-carbon practices.