Policy Brief on Indirect Land Use Change and Peatlands

In this policy brief to the EU parliament and ministers, Wetlands International offers recommendations to effectively address indirect land use change emissions (ILUC) from peatlands. We also provide factual information on peatlands and greenhouse gas emissions and emphasise the following key points:

• Biofuels production on peatlands increases greenhouse gas emissions
• Indirect land use change (ILUC) emissions from peatlands are significant
• Drainage of peatlands is unsustainable
• EU rules on biofuels and proposals on ILUC are inadequate

NGO black carbon letter to environment ministers

NGO sign on letter directed to environment ministers of Arctic states to urge them to use the occasion of their historic second meeting to take significant action to reduce emissions of black carbon.

Iniciativa de la “Ecosystem Alliance”

 Este folleto muestra el objetito de la Iniciativa de la Ecosystem Alliance en Argentina.

Peatlands – guidance for climate change mitigation by conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable use

This is the second edition of the publication that informs on management and finance options to achieve emissions reductions and enhance other vital ecosystem services from peatlands.

Decision support tree for management of peatlands and organic soils

This decision support tree was developed for the 2012 report, Peatlands – guidance for climate change mitigation by conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable use. The report, available on line, outlines the steps in the decision-making process. Download the decision-support tree

Submission on the future work of the ADP

This submission from Wetlands International to the Ad-hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) stresses the need for enhanced action with respect to the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Submission on additional CDM activities - 2012

This submission from Wetlands International to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) presents a proposal to add "Avoided Drainage" and "Rewetting" as additional activities under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands

This TEEB for Water and Wetlands Brief introduces the new initiative, presents initial ideas on the benefits and questions to be explored over the coming months. Obtaining new and complementary insights from the practical experience of stakeholders (ecosystem managers, communities, municipalities, decision makers from the public and private sector at local, national and international scale etc.) from around the world will be an important element in the development of this work Readers are invited to respond to the questions listed below and to submit further information and case studies.

Submission on Policy Options for the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s waters

Wetlands International and several partners with an interest in European water policy made the following submission to the European Commission's Consultation on Policy Options for the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's waters. We highlight the importance of river restoration and green infrastructure for improving the health of Europe's waters and the role we can play to achieve these goals.

Letter to EU president Barosso on Biofuels and Indirect Land Use Change

Wetlands International together with over 100 environmental and civil society NGOs have written to the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso and his Commissioner colleagues, calling for the full climate impact of biofuels, including indirect land use change (ILUC), to be taken into account in EU environmental laws

Submission on MRV and drivers REDD+ 2012

This submission on REDD+ from Wetlands International to UN Climate Conference (UNFCCC-SBSTA) presents Wetlands International's views on how to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and national forest monitoring systems. We focus on peatswamp forests, which has some specific characteristics and therefore need specific attention.

Letter to European governments on carbon dense fuels

Wetlands International signed the letter of a coalition of European  NGOs to the governments and Commission on banning carbon dense fuels. The NGOs ask to take all emissions in the product life cycle into account. This would imply a ban on fuels like biodiesel from palm oil and oils sands.

LULUCF the ‘No Loopholes’ Environmental Integrity Package for Ministers

At the COP17 Climate summit in Durban, Ministers decide whether or not it will be possible for developed countries to reduce their emissions by rewetting drained peatlands for meeting their emission reduction targets under a future climate agreement. Wetlands International, together with other non-profit organisations under the Ecosystems Climate Alliance, call for mandatory accounting for wetlands, because this would mean that a strong incentive will be created to stop the loss of wetlands.

Letter to EU president Barosso on Biofuels and Land Use Change

 22 September 2011. Wetlands International together with several environmental NGOs have written to the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, demanding action on five scientific studies that question the clean energy benefits of biofuels.

Peatlands in Indonesia National REDD+ Strategy

The draft National REDD+ Strategy of Indonesia demonstrates that Indonesia has major ambitions to tackle its significant emissions from peatlands and conserve these unique ecosystems. This ambition is greatly welcomed and urgently needed. Some critical issues in the report, however, need to be addressed if Indonesia is to achieve its targets effectively and in a way that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.