Published article: Current and future CO2 emissions from drained peatlands in Southeast Asia

This is the first peer reviewed scientific article on the global carbon dioxide emissions due to peatsoil degradation and loss, with a focus on Southeast Asia. The article is based on the work for the report Peat-CO2 that presents the shocking figures about emissions due to drainage and fires in Southeast Asia.

Letter to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Biofuel Directive

This is a letter from a long list of NGOs and sent by Wetlands International to the European Commission on the implementation of the EU Biofuel Directive. In the letter the coalition wishes to express its deep concern and alarm over the draft Commission Communication on the practical implementation of the EU Biofuels and bioliquids sustainability schemes. 

Peat swamp forests and palm oil

This presentation was made for the meeting with EU at the end of January 2010. It discusses the following issues: 

• Where and what are peatlands
• Peatland loss and carbon emissions
• Biofuels, palm oil and peatland loss
• What is / should be done

The Global Peatland Fund flyer

This the flyer of the Global Peatland Fund, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by rehabilitating degraded peatlands – especially peatswamp rainforests in Southeast Asia. Peatland rehabilitation and conservation are extremely cost effective carbon mitigation options (US$7 to US$17 per tonne of CO2).

Policy brief to UN climate negotiations 2-6 November Barcelona

The drainage of peatlands leads to huge CO2 emissions. Wetlands International advocates for a new Climate Agreement to include a decision for efforts to halt these emissions. Wetlands International has therefore prepared a policy brief for negotiators which shows text proposals to enable this. This policy brief focuses on the inclusion of peatlands in the proposed REDD policy (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest degradation). 

Submission Bali Action Plan - Ecosystem Climate Alliance (ECA)

This submission to the UNFCCC covers the position of the Ecosystem Climate Alliance (ECA) for the fulfillment of the Bali Action Plan. Wetlands International is one of the initiators of ECA, a newly established network of Environmental and Social NGOs committed to keeping natural terrestrial ecosystems intact, on and in the ground, and out of the atmosphere, in an equitable and transparent way.

Biorights in Theory and Practice

Bio-rights is an innovative financing mechanism for reconciling poverty alleviation and environmental conservation. By providing micro-credits for sustainable development, the approach enables local communities to refrain from unsustainable practices and be actively involved in environmental conservation and restoration. Micro-credits are converted into definitive payments upon successful delivery of conservation services at the end of a contracting period.

Advice to the UNFCCC Contracting Parties (COP 14, 2008)

This brief was used by the team of Wetlands International attending COP 14 in Poznan, Poland (December 2008). The aim is to advice delegations on the different issues on the agenda in different committees of the COP.

Provisional report of the Central Kalimantan Peatland Project

In December 2005 the Central Kalimantan Peatland Project (CKPP) was established with the overall objective of conserving the natural and economic value of the peatswamp areas of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. This report describes the experience and lessons learned over the three-year project. It explains the project's approach, the challenges of succesful peatland restoration and conservation, the project's achievements, and future opportunities for this area and other peatland regions in Indonesia.

Through the production of this draft document, the CKPP consortium would like to invite comments from people interested in CKPP’s work.

Pérdida de turberas alimenta el cambio climático

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.