Towards a Peatland Push
After the Mangrove Breakthrough and the Freshwater Challenge, is it time for a global Peatland Push ? That was the suggestion from Wetland International at an official side event that we hosted at UNFCCC COP28 highlighting the climate, water and biodiversity benefits of peatlands. Despite covering just 3% of the Earth’s surface, peatlands lock up 30 % of carbon stored on land, more than twice the amount in all of the world’s forests – so long as they remain wet. By acting as natural sponges, they also reduce the risk of both droughts and floods. But 15% of the world’s peatlands have been drained for agriculture, forestry and grazing, and conversion continues, contributing more than 5% of global GHG emissions (similar to aviation and shipping combined). While agriculture is a leading cause of peatland destruction, the relationship between peat and food production doesn’t have to be a negative one. Working with knowledge institutes, we develop innovative solutions such as paludiculture - sustainable wet agriculture on restored peatlands - which can support food production and livelihoods while locking up carbon and maintaining the other benefits peatlands provide.
In northeast Germany, for example, farmers have been cultivating Typha, a flowering wetland plant also known as cattail or bullrush, which can be used for construction and insulation materials. Other potential high-value paludiculture activities include harvesting peat moss for use in horticulture and herding water buffalo. Meanwhile in Indonesia, we’ve worked with communities to grow sago instead of oil palm on peatlands, which is helping raise the water table while strengthening livelihoods and food supplies. Further, in Malaysia and Indonesia we work with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil to avoid peatland drainage and stimulate rewetting.
Explore more: Towards a Global Stocktake for Peatlands and Other High-Carbon Ecosystems: Status and Scaling up Potential
Safeguarding and restoring peatlands are critical actions if the world is to meet climate targets under the Paris Agreement. Our official side event at UNFCCC COP28, moderated by Han de Groot (CEO) highlighted policies, funding, and best practices for keeping these carbon sinks in tackling climate change. Femke Tonneijk, Director of Programme Impact, called for the urgent creation of a global Peatland Push to secure the future of peatlands, unlock finance, and galvanize collective action.
Paludiculture - the sustainable wet agriculture on restored peatlands in Bederkesa, Germany - supports food production and livelihoods while locking up carbon and maintaining the other benefits peatlands provide.
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Wetlands International Annual Review 2023
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