Events & Announcements
Launch of the global ‘Organic Soils and Peatlands Climate Change Mitigation Initiative’
When: May 17, 2012
Where: Bonn, Germany
Organized By: FAO, Wetlands International
At the intersessional climate session of the United Nations in Bonn, 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 event presents the activities of the Initiative to promote emissions reductions under the UN Climate Convention through the policies Reducing Emissions of Deforestation and forest Degrdation (REDD+), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA’s); and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry of the Kyoto Protocol (LULUCF).
Peatlands are major carbon stores. However, when they are drained and used – mainly for agriculture, grazing and forestry – peatlands become significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from peatlands drainage and peat fires are responsible for almost one quarter of carbon emissions from the land use sector. Peatlands’ vital role in avoiding and reducing GHG emissions, as well as in water regulation and biodiversity conservation, is insufficiently recognized. Peatlands conservation and restoration, and improved peatlands management are realistic goals and well within our grasp. It is low-hanging fruit in our efforts to make progress on climate change mitigation, adaptation and climate-smart agriculture.
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