Peatlands or wetlands are deteriorating in 177 countries, which constitutes a red alert for the objectives of mitigation and fight against climate change, since these Ecosystems are vital as CO2 sinks and for the survival of biodiversity.
177 of the 193 United Nations Member States have peatlands, critical carbon sinks that are critical areas for biodiversity. However, agriculture, urbanization, deforestation and industrial activities endanger peatlands and their essential ecosystem services for everyone.
What happens to the peat bogs?
This is demonstrated in the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas, published today by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The atlas provides evidence of the need for improve the protection and restoration of peatlandsalong with investments in research and monitoring.
The Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas: The State of the World’s Peatlands in Maps, released during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29), presents updated maps of the global distribution of high importance peatlands. Likewise, the atlas highlights the threats that peatlands face and the opportunities for their restoration and conservation.
“Peatlands, nature’s carbon vaults, can make or break global climate goals,” said Susan Gardner, Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division. Peatlands, found in almost every country, not only store large amounts of carbon, they provide essential services that millions of people depend on every day. Protecting them is a fundamental investment in human well-being.
Peatlands are unique and rare ecosystems that, despite covering only 3-4% of the planet’s land surface, host up to a third of the world’s soil carbon, which is twice the amount of carbon found in the world. found in the forests of the world.
At the local level, Peatlands help regulate and purify watersupport local livelihoods and reduce the risks of fires, droughts and floods. The report concludes that peatlands provide habitats for more than 1,000 endangered and critically endangered species of vulnerable plants and animals.
The report warns of the degradation and subsidence of peatlands due to drainage in the tropics for agriculture, livestock and oil palm plantations. He thawing permafrost due to climate change It is another key factor in its rapid degradation.
Overall, 500,000 hectares (~0.1%) of intact peatlands are destroyed each year by human activities in hotspots such as East and Southeast Asia. On the contrary, the Peatlands remain mostly intact in remote regions of international markets, within some (sub)arctic, boreal and tropical zones.
The report builds on the 2022 Global Peatland Assessment and supports efforts to urge decision-makers to prioritize peatland protection as a cost-effective climate solution, bringing multiple benefits to people, nature and climate.
UNEP’s Global Peatland Initiative (GPI) is leading efforts on strategies for conservation, restoration and sustainable management of peatlands around the world. Leveraging the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas, GPI promotes climate action in priority areas through holistic water management and a landscape-based approach.
Beyond the benefits to the surrounding communities, the Peatland protection is essential to mitigate climate change. Due to their current degradation, they are emitting 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions originating from human activities. And this situation must change as soon as possible.