Executive Summary
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The Dominican Republic has limited experience with nature-based carbon credit projects in the voluntary carbon market (VCM). While no mangrove projects are registered, one agricultural project is under development using Verra’s standard. The absence of precedent in blue carbon projects, particularly mangrove-focused initiatives, highlights this sector's nascent and underdeveloped market environment.

From a regulatory perspective, the country does not impose specific legal requirements for nature-based projects on the voluntary carbon market. Existing environmental regulations apply more broadly and primarily focus on project classification and impact assessments. Projects related to ecosystem restoration or biodiversity conservation (typically Category D) may avoid complete environmental assessments, but still require written notification to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. There is no requirement for formal government authorization, national carbon registry registration, or benefit-sharing agreements for nature-based carbon credit projects that will participate in the VCM. However, some of these provisions are in place for REDD+ projects. Similarly, while MRV processes are mandatory under REDD+, they are not required for VCM projects. Consultation and stakeholder engagement are not always necessary, but may be requested for sensitive projects or those with potential conflicts.

Land tenure and carbon rights present significant barriers. All mangrove forests are considered public property under the State’s maritime-terrestrial domain and cannot be privately or communally owned. Nonetheless, the government allows private or community-based actors to request permits or concessions to manage these areas for conservation purposes, including carbon credit projects. The legal framework permits forest management and restoration activities for communities, but the rules specific to carbon project participation remain ambiguous. Critically, the country lacks a clear legal definition of carbon rights in mangrove ecosystems. Although current practice allows informal or formal landholders to share in carbon-related benefits, no established system exists to secure, transfer, or regulate these rights under law.

Overall, the Dominican Republic has unfavorable enabling conditions for blue carbon projects. There are no existing mangrove carbon projects, no dedicated legal framework for nature-based projects in the voluntary carbon market, and no formal recognition of carbon rights in mangrove ecosystems. While there is some flexibility in permitting conservation activities in public coastal areas, legal ambiguities and the absence of clear rules for carbon rights, benefit-sharing, and community participation create high regulatory uncertainty. These factors limit the confidence of project developers and investors, indicating a need for clearer policy direction and legal reforms to support the development of high-integrity blue carbon initiatives.
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