Development and implementation of blue carbon-based activities now requires strategic policy and incentive mechanisms for coastal conservation, restoration and sustainable use, and and disincentives to drain or damage coastal systems. Currently no broad, strategic program exists to achieve this. To address this, a Blue Carbon Policy Framework has been developed, detailing a coordinated program of policy objectives and activities, needed for the integration of blue carbon into existing initiatives and to support the implementation of coastal management activities. The framework, described in this document, also sets forth a timeline and identifies the possible stakeholders to further develop the activities.