Quintana Roo Turns Sargassum Into Carbon Credits

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The government of Quintana Roo is evaluating three high-revenue options for the operation of its first Comprehensive Sargassum Sanitation and Circular Economy Center, including the issuance of carbon credits, biogas production, and organic fertilizers.

A Sustainable Solution for Sargassum

Oscar Rébora, head of the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), confirmed that the executive plan for the center is in its final stages. At least two potential sites in Cancún have been identified, though officials are still assessing which location will maximize economic benefits from sargassum processing.

The carbon credit initiative would involve managing the seaweed to prevent its decomposition on beaches, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The center would certify the tons of CO2 prevented from entering the atmosphere through sargassum containment and collection, enabling the issuance and sale of carbon credits in voluntary or regulated markets.

Record Sargassum Influx Expected

This year, Quintana Roo’s Sargassum Monitoring Network predicts a more than 50% increase over the 25,000 tons that washed ashore in 2024. Despite the urgency of addressing the influx, Rébora emphasized that the center’s long-term goal is to transform sargassum from an environmental burden into an economic opportunity.

Biogas production, another proposed solution, would use specialized technology to convert the seaweed into fuel or organic fertilizers. Companies from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, the U.S., and France have expressed interest, but the final decision will hinge on profitability and required investment.

Background: Turning a Liability into an Asset

Governor Mara Lezama announced the center in February 2025, framing it as a way to "convert environmental liabilities into economic assets." Currently, sargassum mitigation costs the state 11% of its GDP—approximately $2 billion annually.

"The project will turn sargassum into an opportunity, fostering sustainable industries, creating jobs, and reducing environmental harm," Lezama stated during the announcement.

In the first four months of 2025, the Mexican Navy reported collecting 950 tons of sargassum. The center aims to streamline monitoring, collection, and transportation while unlocking the seaweed’s commercial potential.