Restoring peatlands in Russia

Many peatlands in Russia were drained for agriculture, forestry and peat mining in the past and then left abandoned. Now they are subject to wind and water erosion, major fires and cause large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions. Given the significant economic, environmental and social impacts of these degraded peatlands, Wetlands International has recently initiated the restoration project of Russia's degraded peatlands.

Reducing the impacts of oil sand mining

Canada's oil sands (also called tar sands) are one of the largest oil deposits on Earth. Mining destroys the peat marshes covering these deposits, and alters the water flows within a much wider area. Oil sands oil is controversial due to these impacts and the fact that higher greenhouse gas emissions are produced than from this form of extraction than from conventional sources of oil.  Wetlands International is exploring activities with Shell to limit impacts and enable restoration once mining has ended. 

Arctic wetlands: reducing the impact of the oil and gas sector

The nature in the Arctic region is fragile, recovery is slow. The impact of just a new road in the permafrost marshes may impact a much wider area, for decades.  Wetlands International aims to minimise the impacts of the oil and gas sector on the onshore and coastal Arctic wetlands by working with Shell on guidelines.

UNFCCC Climate Meeting in Durban (28 Nov - 12 Dec 2011)

Wetlands International participated at the 2011 climate summit in Durban, South Africa. The overall steps taken by the 194 governments are dangerously minimal. Regarding wetlands, we are content that wetland-carbon is finally recognised in different decisions. This may have a great impact for saving carbon rich wetlands (see final press release).

Improving biofuels policy in Europe

With some clear successes, Wetlands International has been strongly involved in the EU Renewable Energy Directive. We are currently working closely with other NGOs to guide the implementation policies and limit the adverse land use impacts of biofuels demand.

UNFCCC Climate Talks in Bonn (June 2011)

New sessions were held in Bonn, Germany on June 6-17 at the UNFCCC Climate Talks series, continuing the work from the agreements made in Cancun, Mexico in 2010. Through our active participation at the meeting and two side events, we promoted the conservation and restoration of tropical and temperate peatlands for the critical role they play in regulating the climate.  Furthermore, at the subsequent Adaptation Fund Board meeting on June 19, the importance of Strategic Impact Assessments in board funded projects was highlighted.

Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest – The Last Black Jewel of West Johor

Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest is the last remaining peatswamp forest in the state of Johor, Malaysia. Wetlands Inernational is working together with the State Government to protect and conserve the area.

Peatlands in UN Climate policies

Since 2005 we have stressed the importance of preventing further carbon emissions from peat soils at the UN Climate Conference (UNFCCC). We aim to include carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the degradation and loss of peatlands in a new climate treaty that is currently under negotiation.

UNFCCC Climate Talks, Bonn (Aug 2010)

UNFCCC Climate Summit in Cancún (29 Nov.-10 Dec. 2010)

We advocated for solutions that will help to halt the loss of wetlands at the UN Climate conference in Cancún, Mexico (29 November – 11 December 2010) where Parties gathered to achieve next steps on the road to a new climate deal. We campaigned not only to ensure that peatland emissions will be addressed, but also to make sure that projects financed by the Adaptation Fund do not harm wetlands.