This publication is meant to provide insight in the global greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands and formulates some UN-FCCC policy approaches to addressing these issues, as input to COP14 in Poznan.

This discussion paper discusses options for improving the options for improving the treatment of LULUCF in a Copenhagen agreement: forest and wetland degradation, factoring out, harvest wood products, and approaches for fuller accounting. This working paper aims to contribute to the discussion by Parties and other relevant organisations and individuals, in the process leading up to and in Accra, Poznan (COP14) and Copenhagen COP15). 

This first comprehensive global assessment on the links between peatland degradation and climate change shows that clearance, drainage and fires in peatlands emit more than 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, equivalent to 10% of global emissions from fossil fuels. Protection and restoration of peatlands are among the most cost- effective options for climate change mitigation

In 2020, Africa is expected to produce a relatively small but substantial part of the global biofuel demand. Millions of hectares will be turned into large scale biofuel plantations. Especially natural areas of wetlands and rainforest – the hotspots for biodiversity - are vulnerable for this development.

Peatland degradation, deforestation and fires cause these areas to contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. International investors and development agencies recognise the potential cost efficiency of avoided further carbon emissions at relatively low costs. Such measures, however, cannot be effective without the full support of local communities.

A new film by Wetlands International in which we explain and demonstrate how conservation and restoration of wetlands can be a cost-effective strategy for climate adaption. The film shows how restoring mangroves and other coastal nature can reduce the impacts of climate change such as extreme storms and sea level rise. 

Watch movie: Mangrove forests for coastal restoration

This report presents shocking figures on CO2 emissions from drained peatland areas. These areas were once swamp forests. Due to extensive drainage for logging, palm oil plantations and pulp wood, the peat oxidates into huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2).

A study of Delft Hydraulics in cooperation with Wetlands International and Alterra.

Las emisiones globales producto de la pérdida de suelos orgánicos de turba suman más de 3000 millones de toneladas de dióxido de carbono (Tm/CO2) por año; esto representa cerca del 10% de todas las emisiones antropogénicas globales.

Poster created for the UNFCCC meetings to show that the global climate community is doing nothing to address the significant emissions from peatland loss.

This video tell the story of the peatlands of Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. These areas are causing huge CO2 emissions from degradation of peat. The Central Kalimantan Peatland Project (CKPP) of Wetlands International and partners has found an effective approach on restoring these peatlands and improving the people's livelihoods. Watch the video online.