The impact of scientific controversies on standards and methodologies in the voluntary blue carbon market

With the proliferation of scientific studies on blue carbon in recent years, numerous controversies have emerged in the academic literature. Simultaneously, the voluntary carbon market has expanded significantly, initially at the terrestrial level and, over the past decade, also in the marine realm. While some studies have the emergence of a specialized literature on the blue carbon market, none have examined the connections and relationships between scientists and the voluntary carbon market (VCM). This article maps the scientific controversies surrounding the methodologies developed by standards for the blue carbon market in order to clarify how these controversies are considered in the methodology update process. A quantitative analysis of articles highlighting controversies was conducted, accompanied by a qualitative analysis of methodologies used in the VCM. Interviews with key stakeholders further provided depth to the analysis. An acceleration in updates to certification methodologies developed by standards is observed, correlated with the increasing number of articles highlighting controversies. However, the relationship between research and certification methodologies appears challenging as few scientific articles are cited in most methods, and reciprocally. Mapping the actors reveals that the links and interactions are diverse and occur through various communication channels. • We analyse both the scientific literature and the certification methodologies for blue carbon⁠. • Five key scientific controversies remain on blue carbon, with increasing publications over time. • Blue carbon certification methodologies have been increasing and being updated more frequently since 2015. • Research and the blue carbon methodology developers appear to be siloed. • Scientists and methodology developers engage in a complex and evolving dialogue.