Wetlands for water and life

Indonesian moratorium extended, but peatlands remain threatened

Vera.Coelho — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:01:00 GMT

Wetlands International warmly welcomes the extension of Indonesia’s moratorium on new forest concessions signed on the 13th May by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The extension, however, does not address the shortcomings of the previous moratorium.

European Parliament strengthens accounting rules for agricultural emissions

Vera.Coelho — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:06:00 GMT

Wetlands International welcomes the European Parliament’s vote on rules for accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from agriculture and forestry. Emissions and removals from cropland and grazing land management will have to be accounted for, but accounting for wetland drainage and rewetting remains voluntary.

TEEB report highlights the high value of wetlands

pbrotherton — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:51:00 GMT

Geneva, Switzerland – A new report on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), co-authored by Wetlands International, emphasises the enormous economic value of wetlands. TEEB For Water and Wetlands highlights the key role played by wetlands as natural infrastructure and the multitude of enormously productive services they provide around the world. The continued loss of wetlands illustrates the need for improved policy making and business decision making that accounts for their true value.

Blog: Doha concludes with few conclusions

Vera.Coelho — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:45:00 GMT

- By Vera Coelho -

The United Nations’ climate summit in Doha has come to an end after two weeks of heated and protracted negotiations. Amongst limited progress, the general trend has been to delay decisions and refer further discussions to next year.

Blog from Doha: Red lines hinder REDD+ progress

Vera.Coelho — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:01:00 GMT

- By Vera Coelho -

The first week of the Doha Climate Conference is over, and so is the SBSTA – the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice. After a relatively slow start, REDD+ negotiators really started feeling the time pressure, as the closure of the week drew nearer and several unresolved issues remained.

Blog from Doha: Calm before the storm?

Sander — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:59:00 GMT

By Vera Coelho -

The first few days in Doha at the Climate Conference have been relatively quiet. After a full day of opening ceremonies, delegates sat down for real business on Tuesday and Wednesday. Discussions focused on organisation of work and future ways forward but now that the first half of the first week has passed, one can definitely feel a change in pace.

Closing the emissions gap with peatlands

Vera.Coelho — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Doha, Qatar – Wetlands International urges action to mitigate CO2 emissions from peatlands, as thousands of delegates flock to the Middle East to negotiate global policies on climate change. Peatland restoration and conservation action, stimulated by UNFCCC incentives, could significantly contribute to closing the so-called “emissions gap”.

Global carbon markets now open to Wetland Restoration and Conservation

Vera.Coelho — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:29:00 GMT

Ede, the Netherlands - Wetlands International welcomes the approval of the new carbon trading category “Wetlands Restoration and Conservation” (WRC) by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The new category provides a strong incentive for private investment in conservation and restoration of carbon rich wetlands.

IUCN urges UK government to account for CO2 emissions from peatlands

Vera.Coelho — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:49:00 GMT

Edinburgh, October 5^th 2012. Wetlands International supports the IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s request to the government of the United Kingdom to include Wetland Drainage and Rewetting in their national accounting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Blog: Once you drained it, you risk losing it all!

aprianto — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:20:00 GMT

By Aprianto Masjhur

Peatlands have been recognised for their high carbon storage and their potential to emit a huge amount of carbon emissions once they are drained. Their annual carbon emissions of 2 billion tonnes are a paramount issue in the global effort to mitigate climate change. However, the perilous and far-reaching consequences from peat drainage activities are not limited to carbon loss only. Another key concern that so far has been given insufficient attention is the issue of ‘subsidence’.

Progress Towards Our CGI Commitment to Action: Protecting and Restoring Carbon-rich Wetlands for People and Planet

Sander — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:01:00 GMT

New York - In September 2011 Wetlands International announced its Commitment to Action under the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which is ‘Securing Wetland Carbon Stores for Climate’. The aim of this global NGO is to achieve emission reductions in the order of at least 100 megatons by 2015 through the conservation and rehabilitation of carbon-rich wetlands. Now, one year later, they are well on the way to achieving their commitment.

From Bangkok to Doha: what can the UNFCCC do for wetlands?

Vera.Coelho — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:42:00 GMT

By Vera Coelho

The three main negotiation tracks under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have held informal sessions in Bangkok, Thailand between 30 August and 5 September 2012. The sessions were not mandated to produce negotiating text, but were seen as a necessary forum for discussion before the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18), which will take place in Doha, Qatar at the end of November.

Enhanced collaboration for the conservation of Arctic peatlands and waterbirds concluded at Ramsar Convention

pbrotherton — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:11:00 GMT

Bucharest, Romania - At the recently concluded 11th Ramsar Conference of the Parties in Bucharest, Romania, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) signed Resolutions of Cooperation with both the Ramsar Secretariat and African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) to work together in order to better promote Arctic wetlands and bring greater attention to their importance. As a close partner of Ramsar, CAFF and AEWA, Wetlands International welcomes these agreements.

Blog: Peatlands benefit us all – Don’t drain them!

Vera.Coelho — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 11:21:00 GMT

By Maria Nuutinen, FAO

Why should we keep peatlands wet? If they have been drained, why should we bother to rewet them? The answer is that peatlands provide huge benefits that often go unrecognised. Presentations from China and Belarus in a side event co-organised by Wetlands International at the Ramsar Convention Conference of the Parties (COP11) gave excellent overviews of the benefits as well as challenges of peatland conservation and rewetting for climate change mitigation.

Small steps forward at Ramsar Conference of Parties

pbrotherton — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:31:00 GMT

Bucharest, Romania - The 11^th meeting of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands concluded last week in Bucharest with the adoption of 22 resolutions on issues addressing the wise use of wetlands in 162 signatory countries. Wetlands International welcomes several decisions including the recognition of the overuse of pesticides and growing impacts of foreign-based land investment on wetlands. While many of the resolutions provide needed guidance to address threats facing wetlands, resolutions needed to address cross-sectoral challenges such as climate change and energy remain weak.

Wetlands International presses for action on the drivers of wetland destruction at the Ramsar Conference of Parties

Sander — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:25:00 GMT

11^th meeting of the Ramsar Convention (COP11) 6-13 July 2012 in Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, Romania - Wetlands International will press for adoption of resolutions at the Ramsar Conference of Parties that call upon countries to take action on some of the most pressing challenges facing wetlands, such as energy production and pesticide use in rice fields. As an International Organisation Partner (IOP) we will also urge for a climate change resolution that commits Contracting Parties to take up the newly available incentives to invest in the protection, restoration and sustainable use of their peatlands, as part of their strategies to address climate change.

Welcoming the protection of the Tripa peat swamp (Aceh), fearing for similar cases

Sander — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:42:00 GMT

Bogor, Indonesia - Wetlands International welcomes the decision by the Indonesian government to protect the Kallista Alam peat swamp forest area (1650Ha) in Tripa, Aceh. We also recognise the issue identified by Dr Kuntoro Mangkusubroto (head of Indonesia’s climate team) who mentioned that "The case of Kallista Alam in Aceh is the typical problem we are facing.” Wetlands International fears for the many similar cases in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Press info: New global initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands

SusannaTol — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:50:00 GMT

Bonn, 17 May 2012 - Today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the non-governmental organisation Wetlands International launch ‘The Organic Soils and Peatlands Climate Change Mitigation Initiative’. The Initiative has been established to increase awareness about how the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of peatlands can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, and to facilitate strategic actions that can lead to measurable progress in this area. The Initiative will be launched during the intersessional climate session of the United Nations in Bonn (13–25 May).

Side Event Bonn Climate Change Conference: Launch of the global ‘Organic Soils and Peatlands Climate Change Mitigation Initiative'

SusannaTol — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:04:00 GMT

Bonn, Germany - At the intersessional climate session of the United Nations in Bonn (13-25 May) Wetlands International will in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations organise a side event to launch the global ‘Organic Soils and Peatlands Climate Change Mitigation Initiative'. The presentations of the side event can now be downloaded here.

Tripa peatswamp forest on fire: Orangutans under threat

wetlands-admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:45:00 GMT

A firestorm is sweeping across Tripa’s protected peatswamp forests, endangering the last few hunderd Orangutans remaining in this threatened area. The fires seem a direct result from draining for illegal palm oil expansion into the area. Wetlands International is saddened by the devastation of this forest; the organisation has called for many years for a better conservation of the precious old growth forest.

Announcement: International Conference on wetland forests in Brunei (22-23 March)

SusannaTol — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:02:00 GMT

Forest biodiversity – Towards a Green Economy

Wetlands International is co-hosting an international conference to promote sustainable management of Brunei’s peat forests and mangrove forests on 22-23 March at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The event is organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam through the Forestry Department and is organised in conjunction with this year’s World Forestry Day celebrations on 21 March 2012.

Durban Climate Summit enables carbon cuts from peatlands

wetlands-admin — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:08:00 GMT

Durban, South Africa, 11 Dec-2011. The Durban Climate Summit has delivered an overall rather meager agreement. A positive outcome has though come forward to reduce emissions from peatlands, both in REDD+ from developing as under the Kyoto Protocol for developed countries. Wetlands International celebrates this result. Peatlands represent 6% of global emissions and until now, no incentive existed under the UNFCCC for reduce these.

Deal or No Deal for Peatlands in Durban

Sander — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:43:00 GMT

By Susanna Tol, from the UN Climate Summit in Durban. For two weeks, I am at the climate summit in Durban, meeting governmental delegations from all over the world to get the emissions from wetland degradation addressed.

Durban UN climate talks: bigger steps needed for peatlands

SusannaTol — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:11:00 GMT

Durban, South Africa - Peatlands must be given much stronger attention at the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) in Durban, South Africa, calls NGO Wetlands International. Peatlands are the world’s most concentrated and important reservoirs of terrestrial organic carbon and a fast growing source of emissions. They should become ‘no-go zones’.

Wetlands International at Climate summit Durban

waiyin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

Durban, South Africa - Wetlands International will be present at the upcoming climate talks in Durban (28 November – 9 December). This global NGO will show the important role that wetlands can play to adapt to climate change, with specific attention for wetlands in the dry and vulnerable parts of Africa. Wetlands International also continues its call for incentives to conserve and restore carbon-rich wetlands peat soils under a new climate treaty.

Global Clinton Initiative: our commitment to preserve wetlands

Sander — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:03:00 GMT

New York - At the Global Clinton Initiative in New York, Jane Madgwick, CEO of Wetlands International has presented our commitment to work with communities on saving worldwide two million acres of carbon dense peatswamps.

Wetlands International present at UN Climate Talks in Bonn

Sander — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:03:00 GMT

Bonn, Germany - A team of Wetlands International is present at the UN Climate meeting in Bonn (SBSTA), advocating for wetland conservation in the light of climate change. There we participate in two Side Events and bring our points across in the subsequent Adaptation Fund Board meeting as well.

Breathing space for Indonesia’s peat forests under moratorium

wetlands-admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:07:00 GMT

Friday, 20 May 2011. Today, a two year moratorium between Norway and Indonesia to freeze Indonesia’s forest and peatland clearing has been agreed. The moratorium blocks new concessions in Indonesia’s peatlands and remaining forests; but also leaves many exemptions.

Degraded Coastal Wetlands Contribute to Climate Change

wetlands-admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:01:00 GMT

Washington DC – Drainage and degradation of coastal wetlands emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide directly to the atmosphere and lead to decreased carbon sequestration, a new World Bank report has found.

Symposium highlights importance of wetlands for abating climate change

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:18:00 GMT

Edinburgh, Scotland. Representatives of governments, civil society and research centres of learning gathered in Edinburgh to consider the growing evidence base regarding the role of wetlands in addressing climate change. The global NGO Wetlands International has made climate change a prominent element in its new strategy for the coming decade.

World Wetlands Day 2011: focus on wetlands and forests

wetlands-admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:30:00 GMT

February 2, 2011. World Wetlands Day is this year celebrated with the theme “Forests for Water and Wetlands”. Wetlands International marks this day by launching its new initiatives to reverse the loss of the world’s wetland forests such as forested peatlands and mangroves.

New figures: palm oil destroys Malaysia’s peatswamp forests faster than ever

wetlands-admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:11:00 GMT

An increasing part of Malaysia’s palm oil is produced at the account of huge areas of tropical peatswamp forests. Especially in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, expansion of oil palm plantations may lead to the complete loss of these vast, unique forests by the end of this decade. This is shown by new figures from Wetlands International and Sarvision.

Cancún Climate Summit addresses emissions from peatlands - part II

Sander — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:21:00 GMT

Cancún, Mexico. Climate negotiators at the climate summit in Cancún agreed that in a future climate agreement it should be possible for countries to reduce their emissions by rewetting drained peatlands. Wetlands International is very pleased with this agreement because it means a strong incentive will be created to stop the loss of wetlands. Under the current Kyoto Protocol, these emissions were not included and therefore not addressed.

Cancún climate summit addresses peatland emissions

Sander — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 17:59:00 GMT

Cancún, Mexico 10 Dec 2010. Wetlands International strongly welcomes the decision of climate negotiators to enable developed countries to reduce their emissions by rewetting drained peatlands. Thanks to this decision, a climate deal following the Kyoto Protocol will provide strong incentives to halt and reverse the loss of wetlands. Under the current Kyoto Protocol, these emissions remained unaccounted and thus unaddressed.

George Soros ready for investments in peatland restoration

Sander — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:31:00 GMT

Cancún, Mexico. During a celebrity side event at the climate change conference in Cancún private investor George Soros said he stands ready to invest in the rehabilitation of drained peatlands in Indonesia. He announced this in an event which discussed international partnerships under REDD+; a new UNFCCC mechanism to reduce emission from deforestation and degradation in developing countries.

IPCC: new science allows addressing peatland emissions in UNFCCC

Sander — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Cancún, Mexico. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), science now allows to estimate greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands. This breakthrough was presented yesterday by the IPCC at the UN climate conference (UNFCCC) in Cancun (Mexico). This conclusion is crucial for allowing countries to reduce their emissions through rewetting drained wetlands. A decision on that will possibly be taken in Cancun.

UN Climate conference in Cancún – what is at stake for wetlands?

Sander — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT

The major UN climate conference takes place in Cancún, Mexico, where in the coming two weeks (29 November – 11 December) country delegations will negotiate next steps towards a new climate agreement. This may become an important meeting as countries could agree on reducing emissions from deforestation. One other key element on this agenda is to reduce the annual emissions from drained peatlands, in order to address this so far ignored part of the global greenhouse gas emissions.

Europe's Biofuels Plans Driving Social and Environmental Destruction

Sander — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:04:00 GMT

New research warns of massive increase in carbon emissions and land conversion

Brussels, Belgium – Plans to increase the use of biofuels in Europe over the next ten years will require up to 69,000 square kilometres of new land worldwide and make climate change worse, a new study reveals today [1].

Zero-emission bioenergy myth under Kyoto Protocol fuels climate change

Sander — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:02:00 GMT

TIANJIN, CHINA (UNFCCC) – Greenhouse gas emissions from bioenergy¹ – the development and burning of biofuels and the combustion of biomass to generate electricity – must be accounted for in national emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, say forest and climate experts from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance (ECA), of which Wetlands International is a member.

Biofuel plantations on peat excluded from CDM support

Sander — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:10:00 GMT

Plantations on peatsoils will no longer be supported by The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). This is a decision by the CDM Board as a result of concerns expressed by Wetlands International, Greifswald University and CDM-Watch, who alarmed the Board that these CDM projects directly result in very high greenhouse gas emissions from the drainage of peat soils for palm oil plantations.

Moscow smog mainly caused by burning peatlands

wetlands-admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:43:00 GMT

The thick smog in Moscow is for 80 to 90 percent caused by fires in drained peatlands near Moscow. Despite the relatively small areas where the peat fires occur, these are the fires that cause the massive air pollution in Moscow involving major risks for the health of residents of the region, as well as enormous CO2 emissions. Peat fires are difficult to extinguish and may continue to burn underground for months, even after rainfall like last night.

Russia’s fires: worsened by peatland drainage

wetlands-admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:45:00 GMT

August 4, 2010. The disastrous forest fires that are currently raging in Russia have led to significant fires in the drained and degraded peatlands. These occur close to Moscow and densely populated areas in Central European Russia. They are causing huge air pollution problems as well as direct risks for the people in the region.

EU policy limits wetland loss for biofuels

wetlands-admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:58:00 GMT

After a long process since the adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive, the European Commission has now made clear that biofuels produced or imported to the EU cannot be produced at the cost of wetlands, peatlands or forests.

UN FCCC makes major step towards wetland restoration

SusannaTol — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:09:00 GMT

Bonn, Germany. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will explore further guidance for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands. This is a crucial step towards a decision by the UN Climate Summit in December in Mexico to allow countries to reduce emissions through rewetting drained wetlands.

Moving closer to addressing wetland loss at the UN climate conference, Bonn

Sander — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:38:00 GMT

The large emissions from degrading peatsoils are currently not addressed at the climate conference. Wetlands International is present at the new session of the UN climate summit in Bonn to advocate for steps towards incentives for countries to protect and restore wetlands in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Resuming UN climate talks: protecting natural forests, peatlands and enforcing safeguards must be top priorities

Sander — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:14:00 GMT

BONN, Germany – As the UN climate talks resume here today toward a new global deal to prevent catastrophic climate change, negotiators will be seeking a way forward on the challenge of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). Stemming the tide of forest loss is a key link in the global effort against climate change.

Billion euros for Indonesian nature-carbon loss: great effort, big risk

Sander — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:09:00 GMT

Wetlands International welcomes the support from Norway for Indonesia to curb emissions from deforestation and the loss of carbon rich peatswamps. We also welcome the announcement that under the partnership, Indonesia is prepared to suspend for two years new concessions for the conversion of peat and natural forest lands. However, we are very concerned that this moratorium will take effect only somewhere during the second phase of the partnership. This will create for some sectors during a period of at least 7 months a perverse incentive of enhanced effort for expanding palm oil and pulp concessions in Indonesian forest and peatland areas. We call for the moratorium to enter into immediate effect.

Wetlands International welcomes Obama’s suspension on Arctic drilling

wetlands-admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:04:00 GMT

Wetlands International strongly welcomes the suspension by President Obama of oil drilling in the offshore USA territories in the Arctic. The period of suspension is needed for a proper analysis and discussion about the risks of offshore drilling.

Wetlands International welcomes decision Dutch government to restore Indonesia’s peatlands

Sander — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:32:00 GMT

Wetlands International welcomes the bilateral agreement between the Dutch government and Indonesia to restore Indonesia’s the degraded peatlands, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. Wetlands International has been the leading organisation in advocating and piloting peatland restoration in Indonesia as one of the most effective means for climate change mitigation.

NGOs alarm EU to not support forest conversion for biofuels

Sander — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The EU Parliament has formulated sustainability criteria to prevent forest loss for biofuel production. Now, a leaked draft document shows how the Commission intends to allow and support conversion of for instance rainforest areas into palm oil plantations to produce biodiesel.

World Wetlands Day: recognition for role wetlands in climate change adaptation

Sander — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:22:00 GMT

Celebrating World Wetlands Day, today's spotlight is on the importance of wetlands for reducing impacts of climate change. Globally, there is a growing recognition of the key role that the protection and restoration of wetlands like marshes, peatlands, mangroves and coral reefs can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to its impacts. Now, this recognition has to be turned into action.

Domestic agendas block Copenhagen deal

wetlands-admin — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:23:00 GMT

December 19, 2009, 11.00. The COP just agreed on one sentence with a weak text as just an Annex. National short term interests have blocked any step towards solving one of the biggest challenges mankind faces. The momentum is now missing to move towards a low carbon economy and to reduce the loss of carbon rich ecosystems like forests and wetlands.

Only funding can end emissions from degraded peatswamps

wetlands-admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:16:00 GMT

The Indonesian government acknowledges in Copenhagen that forestry and agriculture in peatswamp areas causes extreme carbon emissions, with just very limited economical revenues. Only a rapid development of a financial incentive such as REDD is able to protect and restore the remaining peatswamp forests.

Copenhagen: are wetlands in or out?

wetlands-admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:26:00 GMT

This morning and yesterday; new steps are agreed regarding the texts on the Land Use part of the Kyoto Protocol (LULUCF) and on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing countries (REDD). Not all these new steps are positive, but they do allow addressing emissions from the loss of wetlands.

Wetlands and the Copenhagen climate summit

wetlands-admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:51:00 GMT

Wetlands International is present at the UN Cilmate Summit in Copenhagen. The outcomes of this summit may have a great impact on the future protection and restoration of wetland areas. We offer you direct updates via our website and via Twitter.

REDD forest agreement hits new low, missing basic elements

SusannaTol — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:00 GMT

Barcelona – Prospects for a robust agreement to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries (REDD) are on a knife-edge. This state forest and climate experts from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance - of which Wetlands International is part - as the United Nations climate change negotiations in Barcelona draw to a close today.

RSPO fails to address greenhouse gas emissions

wetlands-admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:23:00 GMT

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) meeting this week in Kuala Lumpur has been unable to develop any clear criteria on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This means that there are no credible criteria for sustainable palm oil at this moment. Some hope does exist for the future thanks to the approval of a process to develop better GHG criteria catalysed by the adoption of the resolution from Wetlands International.

Report on peatland emissions changes global picture

Sander — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Wetlands International in cooperation with Greifswald University has presented the first ever overview of peatland emissions and peat stocks per country. The overview presented today turns the official emission figures of many countries upside down.

Presentation of first ever peatland emission data per country

SusannaTol — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:57:00 GMT

Wetlands International and Greifswald University will present the first ever overview of peat carbon stocks and drainage related carbon dioxide emissions of all 170 peat-containing countries world wide at the UN climate talks (UN-FCCC) Barcelona on Wednesday 4 November. Splitting the global 550 Gigaton carbon storage and alarming 2 Gton annual CO2 emissions from peatlands to national levels, these new figures turn the official total emission figures of many countries upside down.

Peatland loss: a burning issue at Bangkok Climate Summit

Sander — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:56:00 GMT

While fires rage through the drained and logged peatswamp forests of Indonesia emitting huge amounts of CO2, the UN Climate Talks take place in Bangkok. The coming two weeks country negotiators will work towards a framework for a new climate treaty. This issue of greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands is now explicitly on the agenda of these crucial last negotiation rounds before the Copenhagen Summit.

Confidential report Indonesia: alarming emissions from peatland loss

wetlands-admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:26:00 GMT

Monday, 21 September 2009 - The Indonesian government has come forward with figures that confirm that the country is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses; for 80% due to deforestation and peatland loss. Wetlands International, the NGO that has been advocating the need to address peatland degradation strongly welcomes the acknowledgement by the Indonesian government of the issue.

Alarming plan to mine Russia’s peat

wetlands-admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:59:00 GMT

Wetlands International is concerned about the plans of the Russian government to support and allow large scale peat mining for energy. Using peat causes much larger carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels, will ruin precious nature and disrupt the hydrology of large areas.

Wetlands International: expanding the horizon of wetland conservation

Sander — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:32:00 GMT

Global NGO Wetlands International has further expanded its reach and impact on conservation, restoration and sustainable use of wetlands. For the fifth consecutive year it has grown in both financial and operational size. This concludes the newly published Annual Review 2008.

Petition against conversion of rainforest in Aceh into oil palm plantation

SusannaTol — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:55:00 GMT

Wetlands International and a coalition of NGOs have joined forces to demand palm oil company AAL to immediately halt the conversion of the Tripa peat forest in Aceh province, Indonesia into a palm oil plantation. The Tripa rainforest is home to the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan.

British Palm oil firm accused of bankrolling Indonesian rainforest destruction

Sander — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:41:00 GMT

Wetlands International in a coalition of environmental groups (see below) has accused a British company of funding the imminent destruction of a critical area of Indonesian rainforest for palm oil production.

Wetlands International Africa joins hands in Biofuel Coalition

Sander — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:12:00 GMT

Over thirty civil society organisations join together to avert the effects of biofuel development on food security and sovereignty in African countries. The civil society coalition on biofuels supported by Wetlands International Africa and Action Aid will be officially launched on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Senegal's USE’s Centre de Bopp in Dakar.

Webcast of Press Conference at Bonn Climate Negotiations

wetlands-admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:10:00 GMT

Leading NGO Experts Explain Climate Convention development on REDD and LULUCF:
Where Are We and Where Are We Going? See the webcast.

Forest and Wetland Experts Twitter UN REDD Negotiations

wetlands-admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:16:00 GMT

Experts from the Ecosystem Climate Alliance (ECA), a coalition of leading environmental groups around the world, have established a twitter feed to monitor the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) negotiations in real time at the Bonn climate talks from June 1 – 12, 2009.

UN Climate meeting puts huge emissions from peatland loss on agenda

Sander — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:06:00 GMT

Bonn, Germany. The enormous carbon dioxide emissions from degraded peatlands have finally become an integral part of the UNFCCC agenda. An impressive list of countries have pleaded for inclusion of these so far ignored emissions in national emission accounting in developed countries (Annex I).

Indonesia takes steps to halt and accelerate peatswamp loss

wetlands-admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:58:00 GMT

The government of Indonesia took a promising step this week by asking World Bank for support in reducing carbon emissions from forest and peatland loss. However, last month, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture issued a decree (Indonesian / English translation ) to open up peatswamp areas for the development of palm oil plantations.

Alarming decision to destroy Indonesia’s last peatswamp forests

SusannaTol — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:16:00 GMT

While in the EU and the RSPO policies are being developed to exclude palmoil from carbon rich soils like peatlands and to prevent the loss of their precious forests, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture issued a decree to open up peatswamp areas for the development of palmoil plantations.

Wetlands International goes climate neutral

wetlands-admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:48:00 GMT

Wetlands International signed today the agreement to offset all emissions of flights booked by its headquarters, according to the Gold Standard. The Climate Neutral Group will organise the offsetting programme by investing in alternative energies (wind energy) of an amount equal to the emissions of flying. The ambition of Wetlands International is to expand the compensation to other emissions and other parts of the global organisation as soon as administratively feasible.

Climate Summit: emissions from peat soil ignored in REDD decision

wetlands-admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:48:00 GMT

The UN climate summit (UN-FCCC) currently taking place in Poznan is crucial for the question whether the huge emissions from degraded peatlands will finally be addressed. Today however, the working group on the methodologies for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) has decided to only deal with above ground biomass, ignoring carbon rich soils. This decision will therewith so far ignore or even worsen the emissions of 2000 Mt/CO2/yr from peatland loss in developing countries.

Finland proposes loophole in EU renewables legislation on peatlands

wetlands-admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:08:00 GMT

Huge areas of the world’s peatlands will be opened up for biofuel production if Finland and Sweden succeed in opening up a new loophole in EU legislation.

Peat is not a Renewable Energy Source; Letter to the Finnish Government

Sander — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:52:00 GMT

Peat is formed over thousands of years. Recovery of peat exploitation is usually irreversible or if it can be reversed, it will take hundreds or even thousands of years to be replenished. Given this evidence, Wetlands International is astonished by the proposal by Finland to consider peat as renewable energy source at the Permanent Representatives Committee of the European Union.

Poznan climate summit crucial for peatlands

wetlands-admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:22:00 GMT

The UN climate summit in Poznan , Poland (1-12 December) is a key opportunity for addressing the huge greenhouse gas emissions from peatland degradation. A team of Wetlands International attends the summit to advocate policies that will address the loss of the worlds peatlands.

RSPO certified palm oil ignores greenhouse gas emissions

wetlands-admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:01:00 GMT

This Tuesday (11th Nov.), the world’s first certified palm oil under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) arrives on European shores. This certified palm oil originates from a plantation which has palm oil grown on peatlands. Wetlands International strongly cautions that palm oil cannot be certified "sustainable" as long as the sector refuses to include a criterion on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from land use change, in particular degradation of tropical peatlands.

Protection of Green Coast demonstration sites in Aceh requested from Provincial Governor

Sander — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:43:00 GMT

Green Coast partners in Aceh (Wetlands International and WWF) have submitted an official request to Aceh Provincial Government to endorse, support and protect the 11 Green Coast demonstration sites after the partners will be phased out Mid 2009.

Ramsar Convention shies away from influencing water, climate and development policies

Sander — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:14:00 GMT

In the speech on behalf of the International Organising Partners of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP 10) in Korea, Jane Madgwick, CEO of Wetlands International welcomes the steps to increase the status of Ramsar Sites, especially with regard to Lake Natron in Tanzania, the Tana Delta and Lake Naivasha in Kenya. At the same time, there is disappointment about the little progress in addressing water, climate and development policies with a link to wetlands.

Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People central topic at Ramsar Conference in Changwon, Korea

Sander — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:24:00 GMT

The theme Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People is a central topic at the intergovernmental Ramsar Convention on Wetlands COP 10 (Oct. 28 - Nov. 4) at Changwon, Korea. The publication Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People made by Wetlands International is downloadable right now.

Ramsar Convention needs to improve resolutions

wetlands-admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:48:00 GMT

Wetlands International advocates chances for the proposed resolutions of this week’s Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Many proposed changes demand attention for the link between wetland loss and climate change and for biofuels.

Global Newsletter Oct./Nov. 2008

Sander — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:43:00 GMT

This is the Wetlands International Global Newsletter of Oct./Nov. 2008. It is filled with news on wetlands and climate change, migratory birds, international conferences, research, videos and publications.

Support for Unilever's moratorium on deforestation for palm oil

wetlands-admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:38:00 GMT

Wetlands International supports the call of the global company Unilever for a moratorium on deforestation for palm oil. With the call, companies and NGOs dealing with palm oil urge companies to respect this moratorium. The call will also be translated into a resolution for the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (meeting in November 2008).

Call for EU to reject biofuel target

wetlands-admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:00:00 GMT

10 September 2008. Tomorrow, the Industry, Research and EnergyCommittee (ITRE) of the European Parliament will vote about the Renewable Energy Directive. Wetlands International calls for a rejection of the 10% target for biofuel use in 2020.

UK think tank: Preventing peatland loss is cheapest climate measure

wetlands-admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:19:00 GMT

September 1, 2008.
The UK think tank Policy Exchange has presented the costs of the most important climate measures. Reducing emissions from tropical peatlands is by far the cheapest way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; using biofuels is by far the most expensive measure.

Green Coast: successful and cost-effective approach for disaster risk reduction

Sander — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Green Coast, a post-tsunami coastal restoration program led by Wetlands International, has been assessed independently as a highly cost-effective and successful approach to disaster risk reduction.

Reduced EU biofuel target is good news for wetlands

wetlands-admin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:11:00 GMT

Influenced by a powerful joint NGO lobby, the Members of the Environmental Committee of European Parliament yesterday voted in favour of stronger sustainability criteria and a lower target for biofuels. The proposed 10% biofuel target for 2020 was reduced to a significant lower 4% in 2015 with criteria for ambitious greenhouse gas savings and exclusion of areas like wetlands with high carbon stocks and/or biodiversity values.

Global Peatland Fund on CNN

SusannaTol — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:03:00 GMT

In CNN's show 'Business Traveller' the focus is this month on carbon offsetting initiatives worldwide. Wetlands International CEO Jane Madgwick tells about the NGO's recently launched Global Peatland Fund. Click here to watch the show which aired July 12, 13, 17 2008

Shocking decision of Kenya to convert precious wetland

schotman-host — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

25-06-2008 Press release
Wetlands International is shocked by the decision of the Kenyan government to convert large tracts of the Tana wetlands in Kenya into sugarcane-for-ethanol plantations. This dramatic development confirms the NGO’s recent outlook ‘Biofuels in Africa’, which shows that biofuel production in Africa will lead to loss of wetlands and rainforest.

CBD-meeting is major opportunity to address CO2 emissions from peatlands

schotman-host — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:48:00 GMT

At this moment, the global governmental Convention on Biodiversity (CBD - SBSTTA) holds their meeting in Paris. The protection and restoration of peatlands in order to conserve their carbon stocks is an important item on the agenda. Peatlands all over the world store enormous amounts of carbon. Their degradation is causing CO2 emissions equivalent to 8% of all global fossil fuel emissions. These huge emissions are not addressed under the Kyoto Protocol at all. There is now a major opportunity for the CBD to take leadership over this issue.

Dutch Minister Cramer: exclude all bio-fuels from peatlands

schotman-host — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:00:00 GMT

More than 50% of the new palm oil plantations in Indonesia are planned on peatlands. With these criteria, many Indonesian and Malaysian producers will lose the markets of the 4th largest palm oil importer. Wetlands International calls for the EU, individual countries to take action to stop the rapid expansion of palm oil from peatlands and the adverse environmental targets and subsidies promoting this expansion.