As a wetland ecologist, Marcel Silvius has worked on a wide range of issues related to natural resources management, climate change, integrated water management, sustainable development and livelihoods, for over 30 years.
He pioneered peatland, mangrove and shorebird studies in South-east Asia and contributed to the establishment of several national parks and large-scale ecosystem restoration projects in Indonesia, Russia, China and Africa.
He played a major role in establishing the global conservation organization, Wetlands International, leading the development of global programs and supporting the establishment of offices and projects in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand), Europe (EU, Russia, Ukraine) and Africa (Senegal, Mali, Kenya). Much of his work focused on combining socio-economic development with conservation and restoration of natural capital, seeking win-win solutions for development, poverty reduction and biodiversity. A key element in his work has been the piloting of carbon finance in the landscape and forestry sector, especially with private sector.
In 2017, he joined GGGI to lead in Indonesia GGGI’s largest country program with a major focus on sustainable landscapes, forests, mangrove restoration, including projects on carbon pricing and related MRV, as well as development of renewable energy, e-mobility and promotion of green city development. On 1 July 2023, Marcel joined the rapidly growing Philippines program as Country Representative, to lead GGGI’s support to the Philippines’ green economic transition. As GGGI Subregional Director SE Asia he also provides support to GGGI’s expanding programs in the Mekong Region as well as Indonesia with projects focused on nature-based solutions to pressing climate and economic issues.
Marcel is a graduate in biology at the State University of Utrecht and studied Nature Management at the Agricultural University of Wageningen, Netherlands. Marcel is passionate about exploring and photographing the rich diversity of SE Asia’s’ culture and nature.