Gold Standard's visit to Madagascar

Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, recently visited Madagascar where she observed mangrove restoration projects initiated by Bôndy and VNV Advisory Services. She shares her thoughts on this experience and the impacts she was able to observe.

Ma Honkô” means “mangroves” in Malagasy, a term that perfectly captures the importance of these unique ecosystems. Mangroves form a vital interface between terrestrial and marine environments, playing a crucial role in protecting the coastlines of the Big Island, supporting rich biodiversity, sustaining local livelihoods, and sequestering carbon - a key tool in the fight against climate change. In addition to their environmental function, they generate sustainable income through activities such as honey and silk production, further contributing to environmental conservation.

The project aims to restore 40,000 hectares of mangroves along Madagascar's west coast. It is being implemented in three key regions, including Melaky, and combines ecological restoration with community empowerment and support. This initiative goes beyond tree planting, incorporating a strong human dimension by creating sustainable jobs, training local communities, and contributing to environmental conservation.

The major environmental challenges of an isolated region, like Melaky

Located 500 km west of the capital Antananarivo, the northwest coast of the world's fourth largest island is home to 98% of the country's mangroves. However, with very limited transport infrastructure, regions like Melaky are often neglected by development efforts. Despite these challenges, the Gold Standard team is committed to helping their partners restore these vital ecosystems and support local communities. After a five-hour boat crossing and a bike ride, the team arrived at one of the villages supporting the project. They were greeted by the laughter of curious children and the hospitality of the head of the "fokontany" (a Malagasy word for a village in a municipality), who despite these difficulties are committed to mangrove restoration. In one of the villages they visited, formed by 450 households (around 1,400 people), the needs are enormous. Access to drinking water, electricity and healthcare remains a daily challenge. The village's small clinic struggles to meet the needs of the population, with an average of 20 births per month. As for the schools, they are cruelly lacking in resources, notably electricity, but the children are filled with an intellectual curiosity that contrasts with the precariousness of the infrastructure.

Mangrove restoration: a sustainable, inclusive, participatory  project

The next day, the group visited mangrove nurseries and planting sites where 150 villagers had been employed as planters during the pilot phase of the project. Despite the long journey and the difficulty of the land, these villagers actively participated in the planting, motivated by the hope of seeing their environment regenerate and to benefit from the economic and ecological benefits of the project. The impact was obvious, with the striking contrast between healthy mangroves and degraded land, marked by illegal charcoal production.

In another fokontany, the team met with the men and women involved in the mangrove restoration effort. They expressed hope that the project would improve fishing conditions along the coast, allowing fathers to fish closer to shore and avoid dangerous trips further out to sea. However, their concerns for the future were palpable. Once mangroves are restored, what will ensure a sustainable income for the community? Alternative activities, such as beekeeping, will not work if illegal coal production continues, as the smoke repels bees. Illegal coal production remains lucrative and deeply entrenched.

These conversations are a reminder of the interconnection between environmental restoration and livelihoods. The projects don't just plant trees; they help communities build futures, equipping them with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive; they also offer opportunities for reforestation, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods. After a long day, the whole team gathered to watch the magnificent sunset, thinking about why they were committed to this work. The challenges are huge, but the rewards are tangible: health clinics, street lamps, living wages, children in school, and opportunities for women — all supported by high integrity carbon finance. A real and lasting impact for people and nature.

While carbon credits are the mechanism that allows projects like this to grow, the real story is in the lives that are transformed. In the villages they visited, no one was talking about carbon credits. What mattered to them were their livelihoods, the education of their children, and the health of their families. The success of these projects is not limited to the tons of carbon stored, but is also reflected in the possibility for villagers to pay teachers, access health care, and improve the living conditions of their families.

That's what they're doing at Gold Standard, and why they've chosen to fight this uphill battle. Ma Honkô - the mangroves - are a reminder that, like nature, it's essential to give back, and creating systems that support the next generation. With high integrity climate action, we can build a world where people and nature thrive together.

Mangroves are just one example of how an integrated approach to project design can generate multiple impacts on several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and improve financial security. This highlights the dual benefits of immediate carbon sequestration, with the long-term value of climate resilience and scalable solutions for the local economy and surrounding ecosystems.