June 24, 2026
The International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) has announced Associate Professor Dr. Sazlina Salleh of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as the second recipient of the IBCI Fellowship, supporting new research to strengthen the protection of Southeast Asia's blue carbon ecosystems in rapidly urbanising coastal areas.
As coastal cities across Southeast Asia face increasing pressure from development, pollution and climate change, Dr. Sazlina's Fellowship will focus on one of the region's most overlooked climate assets: urban blue carbon ecosystems.
The PULSE project, “Penang’s Urban Living Seascapes Ecosystems: A Science-Policy Framework for Sustainable Blue Carbon Management,” focuses on understanding and protecting urban seagrass ecosystems in Penang, Malaysia, which are increasingly threatened by coastal reclamation, pollution, and rapid urban development.
Through the PULSE project, Saleh will undertake ecological assessments, blue carbon analysis, policy research, and community engagement, with the aim to strengthen the scientific and policy case for urban seagrass conservation and sustainable coastal management.
“Sazlina’s PULSE initiative stood out because it directly connects science, policy and community action around a very real challenge for Southeast Asia – how we protect blue carbon ecosystems in rapidly urbanizing coasts,” said Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub, Senior Technical Director at the International Blue Carbon Institute.
“This work is important because it helps show how seagrass systems — which we still undervalue and which are underrepresented in national policy and decision-making — can be integrated into urban planning and used as part of the solution for coastal resilience.”
Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s most important blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrass meadows that support biodiversity, livelihoods, shoreline protection, and climate mitigation. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by rapid coastal development, pollution, and habitat loss.
“Seagrass ecosystems in urban coastal areas like Penang are often overlooked, but they are important for blue carbon, coastal resilience and marine biodiversity,’’ explained Dr. Sazlina, “through the PULSE project and partnership with IBCI, I hope to help make these habitats more visible in coastal planning and better protected for the future.”
Dr. Sazlina’s Fellowship reflects IBCI’s ongoing commitment to advancing blue carbon science, strengthening capacity, and supporting practical, locally driven solutions for coastal conservation and resilience.
The announcement comes at a time of growing global attention on the role of coastal and marine ecosystems in supporting climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Through the Fellowship Program, IBCI aims to strengthen regional expertise and support practical, science-based solutions for blue carbon conservation and management.
Established in 2024, the IBCI Fellowship Program was created to advance blue carbon science, innovation, and implementation solutions. The Fellowship aims to build capacity and support scalable solutions for the global protection, restoration, and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems.
Recruitment for future IBCI Fellows will open late 2027, with further information to be announced by IBCI in the coming months.
For more information about the IBCI Fellowship Program:
https://www.conservation.org/ibci/fellowship-program
For more information about IBCI:
https://www.conservation.org/ibci
Media Contact:
Emmeline Johansen
Senior Director, Media Asia-Pacific
Conservation International
ejohansen@conservation.org