Advancing interdisciplinary science of gender is key to the success of blue carbon initiatives.

The lack of practical knowledge and effective engagement with gender in blue carbon initiatives poses a threat to their success and sustainability and risks exacerbating existing gender inequalities. Developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts, this paper proposes a research agenda, comprised of seven research areas as well as priority actions, designed to catalyze a shift towards more just, equitable and effective blue carbon initiatives. This paper is a call-to-action to increase commitment, funding, and collaborative, interdisciplinary science to close the gender gap in the conservation and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems and enhance their social-enovironmental impacts.