The value and role of mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses for climate change mitigation was established back in 2009 by reports by IUCN and UNEP to focus attention on addressing a critical gap in national carbon accounting and management. Despite the acknowledgement of the importance of these ecosystems in stemming climate change, many countries have yet to prepare for and implement targeted climate and carbon policies for coastal carbon ecosystems alongside other coastal priorities, challenges and demands. This National Blue Carbon Policy Assessment Framework is helping to do just that. Using a detailed Assessment Tool, coupled with field-testing in five countries, the National Blue Carbon Policy Assessment Framework provides countries with a straightforward, structured and easy-to-apply five-step assessment framework. By applying the National Blue Carbon Policy Assessment Framework countries can achieve a first order analysis leading to a more comprehensive and integrated approach to coastal management, with clear answers of whether and when climate and carbon related policies and mechanisms make sense for them, and how they can be aligned with existing coastal regulation and policies.