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IFF has announced it is partnering with environmental NGO Bellona in a long-term project to restore seaweed forests in northern Norway. Through the ‘Norwegian Marine Restoration’ (NoMaRe) project, IFF and Bellona aim to restore 5,000 square kilometres of seaweed forest, through managing invasive sea urchin predation. According to IFF, the regrowth of the forests could increase biological carbon sequestration by 12 million tons – the equivalent of Norway’s total oil and gas industry emissions in 2021. Seaweed forests are widely considered as one of the Earth’s most important natural environments but face challenges on a global scale. Norwegian seaweed forests are home to over 300 species of invasive sea urchins. During the 1970s, human activity removed many of the urchin larvae’s natural predators, which enabled urchins to increase in high numbers, converting the northern Norway seaweed forests into “desert-like urchin barrens”. This has caused ecological ripple effects on the biomass of native animals and plants, including limiting opportunities for seaweed harvesting. Renee Henze, chief sustainability officer at IFF, said: “As one of the largest global users of seaweed for alginates and carrageenan, we are proud to be an initiator of this major project. Alginate from Norwegian seaweed is used in pharmaceutical applications, dietary supplements and food, including new plant-based meat alternatives. Increasing advocacy for the often-forgotten seaweed forest is key to mitigating the effects of climate change, while creating sustainable jobs and products globally.” IFF will provide financial support and its expertise in seaweed management to the NoMaRe project over a three-year period. In collaboration with the Norwegian government, scientific and research communities, the project will help to fund the creation of a dedicated platform to promote effective, scientifically proven urchin removal schemes and supplementary restoration efforts. Trond Helgerud, principal scientist and seaweed R&D leader at IFF’s Nourish division, commented: “The project has the potential to help Norway grow its marine economy by generating significant economic benefits every year, making sustainable seaweed one of the country’s biggest contributors to marine industries. That’s good for a greener economy and a greener planet.” Angela Strzelecki, president of pharma solutions at IFF, added: “In Norway, we have sustainably harvested seaweed for over 60 years, so we know how to maintain the forest. The habitats where we harvest thrive, and we hope the seaweed forest further north can do the same. NoMaRe shows that great things happen when businesses, NGOs, research communities and governments combine their forces, expertise and experience to help save the planet and create green jobs.” Joakim Hauge, director of bioeconomic at Bellona Foundation, concluded: “The Bellona Foundation is very happy to partner with IFF on the important issue of marine restoration. The team’s experience and knowledge will provide valuable contributions to this exciting partnership. I am confident that IFF and The Bellona Foundation jointly will achieve very real progress for climate and the environment, in restoring marine biodiversity and ecosystems, while at the same time increasing biological carbon storage.”