Submission to SBSTA on REDD and peatlands - Sept 2011

This policy submission to the UN Climate Conference (UNFCCC) provides input to methodological guidance to the policy mechanism REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). Wetlands International specifically focuses on the issue of peatlands in relation to REDD in this submission, which differ in relevant aspects from forests on mineral soil.

Policy recommendations to the SBSTA on peatlands and REDD - June 2011

This policy brief provides background and recommendations with regard to REDD+ modalities and guidelines to be developed by the SBSTA and has been produced as input for the UN-FCCC meeting in Bonn, June 2011.

Strategic action plan on integrated water resources management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture in the Southern Bug River basin

The Strategic Action Plan (SAP) was developed in the frame of the Wetlands International Black Sea Programme’s project «Towards integrating wetland biodiversity conservation with water and agricultural management in Ukraine. A pilot project in the Southern Bug River Basin». The draft SAP was discussed at 4 regional workshops and 15 roundtables in different settlements located in the Southern Bug River Basin during a public information and educational campaign in 2008—2010. The final version of the SAP was approved by participants of the Basin Conference on 14 May 2010. The Southern Bug Basin Council approved the SAP on 3 February 2011 and decided to use it in the drafting of regional and local programs.

Briefing: biofuels and indirect land-use change (ILUC)

This letter asks for attention for the global Land Use Change impacts caused by the European biofuel targets such as deforestation and wetland loss. The organanisations call for a so-called ILUC-factor; emissions to be added to the accounted emissions for producing biofuels.

Maintaining wetlands as fresh water stocks in the Sahelian zone in the Inner Niger Delta of Mali

This document was contributed to the Nairobi Work Programme of the UNFCCC secretariat.  It builds on a quarter century of work by Wetlands International related to maintaining the precious fresh water wetlands in the Sahel, highlighting activities on improving climate change adaptation planning, policies and practices in relation to fresh water management in Africa. 

Communiqué Wetlands Matter

Communiqué of the Symposium in Edinburgh on 'Valuing Wetlands In a Chaning Climate' , 24 February 2011.

Making the invisible visible

This paper highlights the need to incorporate Ecosystem-based Adaptation approaches as vital components of adaptation strategies. It also calls for the establishment of mechanisms that help to avoid adverse environmental impacts resulting from well-intended adaptation projects, which in the long run might lead to mal-adaptation.

Policy Brief to AWG-LCA13 with regard to REDD+

Forested tropical peatlands are rapidly being converted into plantations, causing large greenhouse gas emissions, in south-east Asia about 900 Mtons of CO2 each year. Reducing emissions from organic soils under (former) forests should be addressed in a REDD+ mechanism. REDD+ should also be expanded to other ecosystems with substantial carbon stocks, such as non-forested peatlands, provided that emission reductions are MRV-proof. The restoration of yet deforested and drained peatswamp forests and non-forested peatlands should also be eligible as activity under REDD+ and/or be prioritized as low carbon strategies under NAMA’s.

Policy Brief to AWG-KP15 with regard to LULUCF

Wetlands International supports an ambitious work programme that leads to comprehensive accounting. The current 3.4 voluntary activities of cropland management, grazing land management and revegetation are rarely selected as an accounting activity, while the emissions, and mitigation potential are both significant in many situations. Many countries have elected not to account for emissions and removals from forest management. Finally, there is currently no category that allows for the accounting of emissions and reductions from wetland management.

Submission on On Indirect Land-Use Change regarding the EU biofuel policies

In this document, Wetlands International prrovides comments to the European Commission public consultation on indirect land-use change (October 2010).

Policy brief on climate issues for CBD COP 10

With this brief, delegates at CBD are asked to decide on actions to address climate change emissions due to ecosystem loss and by making sure that biodiversity values are maintained or even improved by actions for climate change mitiation (such as REDD, bIofuel production, reforestation).

Joint NGO - Position paper on CBD COP regarding Inland Waters

Ahead of the upcoming tenth Conference of Parties (CoP10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Wetlands International, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy  and WWF urge parties to strengthen work on the protection and sustainable use of inland water ecosystems, in particular with the following joint recommendations on the CBD Inland Waters Progamme of Work. 

Recommendations for CBD post-2010 strategic targets

Wetlands International gives two recommendations for the CBD post-2010 strategic targets.

A. New, stand alone target on water

B. Proposed revision of draft CBD target 14 

Policy brief for the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010

The meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 (COP 10) has put the biodiversity target for 2020 on the agenda. These targets in fact set the agenda regarding biodiversity policies for the coming years. Wetlands International international has used this document to advocate for improved  targets; focusing on the role of healthy ecosystems for water supplies and carbon storage.

Policy brief into World Bank Palm Oil Strategy Consultations

Wetlands International participated in a multi-stakeholder consultation process organised by World Bank on 3-4 June 2010 which aimed to identify how World Bank can address issues facing the palm oil sector. Since there are increasing concerns about sustainability issues in the sector, particularly related to palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia (the two largest producers of crude palm oil) the World Bank Group is undertaking this strategy preparation exercise for its activities and future direction for the palm oil sector. This policy brief holds Wetlands International’s input to this meeting.