Fujitsu has announced the development of a system to measure and verify ‘blue carbon’ – in other words, carbon absorbed and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems – from seaweed and seagrass, which the firm states will support the restoration and conservation of seagrass beds.
According to Fujitsu, the newly developed technology enables data collection, measurement, ecosystem recognition, blue carbon quantification, and support for recovery and conservation activities, without the need for specialised expertise.
Marine environmental preservation
‘This innovation, part of Fujitsu’s research and development into ocean digital twin technology, significantly accelerates the certification process for blue carbon credits, a key initiative in decarbonisation and marine environmental preservation,’ the company said.
It is able to complete measurement of areas larger than one hectare in about 30 minutes, while the system has been validated to measure and recognise blue carbon with over 85% accuracy. The effectiveness of the technology was recognised with the attainment of J-Blue Credit certification, receiving a 95% accreditation rate.
How it works
The newly-developed technology comprises three core elements – an underwater drone navigation feature to collect subsea data; a recognition technology to identify the species and coverage of seaweed and seagrass colonies, and quantification of blue carbon absorption; and simulation technology that combines marine environmental science and AI to simulate the growth of seagrass beds.
The technology has already been tested in Japan‘s Uwa Sea, in collaboration with the Uwakai Institute for Environmental Biology, the Yoshida Branch of the Ehime Prefectural Fisheries Cooperative Association, and Uwajima City.
‘By advancing ocean digital twin technology and building partnerships with companies, local governments, and organisations engaged in carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation, Fujitsu aims to realise businesses that balance environmental preservation and economic growth by 2027,’ it added.
Fujitsu showcased the system at the Techno-Ocean 2025 event in Kobe, which ran from 27 to 29 November. Read more here.
