Carbon markets reward the climate mitigation benefits of nature-based solutions but rarely value their broader societal impacts. Creating markets for verified co-benefits, such as coastal protection and biodiversity, could redirect investment towards projects that deliver larger gains for both people and climate.This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institutionAccess optionsAccess Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journalsGet Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription27,99 € / 30 dayscancel any timeLearn moreSubscribe to this journalReceive 12 print issues and online access269,00 € per yearonly 22,42 € per issueLearn moreBuy this articlePurchase on SpringerLinkInstant access to the full article PDF.39,95 €Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkoutFig. 1: Illustrative comparison of mangrove restoration potential and tropical storm exposure.ReferencesMasood, E. Nature 636, 17–18 (2024).Article CAS Google Scholar Seddon, N. Science 376, 1410–1416 (2022).Article CAS Google Scholar Chang, C. H. et al. Nat. Sustain. 8, 75–85 (2025).Article Google Scholar Where the carbon offset market is poised to surge. Morgan Stanley (11 April 2023); https://go.nature.com/3SqFInfCOP29 agrees international carbon market standards. UN Climate Change (12 November 2024); https://go.nature.com/4xNQTGCDuarte, C. M., Losada, I. J., Hendriks, I. E., Mazarrasa, I. & Marbà, N. Nat. Clim. Change 3, 961–968 (2013).Article CAS Google Scholar VCS Standard v4.7 (Verra, 2024); https://go.nature.com/4vMsPmtHamilton, S. E. & Presotto, A. Int. J. Appl. Geospat. Res. 15, 1–16 (2024).Article Google Scholar Knapp, K. R., Kruk, M. C., Levinson, D. H., Diamond, H. J. & Neumann, C. J. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 91, 363–376 (2010).Article Google Scholar Boose, E. R., Serrano, M. I. & Foster, D. R. Ecol. Monogr. 74, 335–352 (2004).Article Google Scholar Lebakula, V. et al. LandScan Global 2024 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2025); https://doi.org/10.48690/1532445Narayan, S. et al. Sci. Rep. 7, 9463 (2017).Article Google Scholar Sumaila, U. R. et al. Nat. Commun. 12, 3259 (2021).Article CAS Google Scholar Dasgupta, P. The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review Abridged Version (HM Treasury, 2021).Download referencesAuthor informationAuthors and AffiliationsUniversity of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USAJacob Hochard, Nino Abashidze & Samuel NonemakerThe Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, USAJames T. Erbaugh, Stefanie Simpson & Lindsey SmartDartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USAJames T. ErbaughUniversity of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USATeevrat GargOld Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USAWai Yan SiuEast Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USAStuart HamiltonAllen Family Philanthropies, Seattle, WA, USAYuta J. MasudaAuthorsJacob HochardView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarJames T. ErbaughView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarTeevrat GargView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarNino AbashidzeView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarStefanie SimpsonView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarSamuel NonemakerView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarLindsey SmartView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarWai Yan SiuView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarStuart HamiltonView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarYuta J. MasudaView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarCorresponding authorCorrespondence to Jacob Hochard.Ethics declarationsCompeting interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.Rights and permissionsReprints and permissionsAbout this article