Peatlands are particularly notable for their capacity to accumulate carbon in long term stores, ameliorating the release of greenhouse gases that affect climate change. They can store 15 times more terrestrial carbon than any forest type (about 550 giga tonnes). One third of this is stored in the Tropics. Globally the amount stored in peatlands is equivalent to 75% of all atmospheric carbon and around 100 years of emissions from fossil fuels.

This vital resource is now in great danger. Wildfires, drainage and deforestation are resulting in peatland destruction, contributing massively to atmospheric carbon. Annual carbon emissions in SE Asia over the last 15 years have reached 0.8 – 1.3 giga tonnes, or 13-26% of global fossil fuel emissions. In Indonesia in 1997, 20% of its peatlands were burnt.