How do peatlands contribute to climate action?
Peatlands are critical ecosystems that cover only 3 percent of the world’s land area but contain massive carbon stocks. Effective management of peatlands offers opportunities for both climate change mitigation and adaptation. Conservation and restoration efforts not only help mitigate climate change but also safeguard essential ecosystem services, enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience. This brief, developed as part of the Global Peatlands Initiative, aims to assist national governments in bolstering their climate commitments by integrating peatland conservation and restoration into their strategies.
Key Messages
- Critical carbon reservoir: Despite their small land coverage, peatlands hold vast carbon stocks, making them essential for mitigating climate change.
- Dual climate benefits: Improved peatland management not only helps mitigate climate change but also offers adaptation opportunities, crucial for global resilience.
- Preserving ecosystem services: Conservation and restoration efforts safeguard vital ecosystem services, bolstering adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
- Integration in national strategies: Integrating peatland conservation and restoration into national climate strategies, such as NDCs and long-term plans, is imperative for achieving Paris Agreement goals.
- Cross-sector collaboration: Inclusion of peatlands in emission reduction and adaptation targets across sectors like agriculture, forestry, and energy significantly advances Paris Agreement objectives.
- Informing stakeholders: This brief serves as the first in a series, informing stakeholders about practical approaches to address climate action on peatlands.
- Advocating for action: National agencies are urged to embed peatland considerations into legislative, regulatory, and planning frameworks to ensure effective climate action implementation.
