Insuring Mangrove Forests for Their Role in Mitigating Coastal Erosion and Storm-Surge: An Australian Case Study

Abstract

Mangrove forests provide important ecosystem services, including protecting coastlines from the impacts of extreme weather events, such as storm surge and erosion. Unfortunately, these same extreme weather events also degrade mangrove forests. Currently, there are no comprehensive financial mechanisms in place to ensure that mangroves are rehabilitated following storm damage. This article explores whether there is a legal basis for applying insurance to mangrove forests, to ensure that mangroves are rehabilitated to retain their protective functions. This article uses Australian insurance law as a case study, and first analyses whether the legal principles underpinning insurance can be extended to mangrove forests, and then addresses the practical difficulties involved in developing an insurance product of this type. This article concludes that mangrove insurance is technically feasible, and provides a series of recommendations for policy-makers and the insurance industry.

JEL Classification: K00