Ecosystems and climate

Peatland

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Definition

Peatlands are wetland ecosystems — bogs, fens, mires and swamp forests — in which waterlogged conditions slow decomposition and organic matter accumulates as peat over millennia. Covering around 3% of global land area, peatlands store more carbon than all the world's forests combined; when drained for agriculture, forestry or peat extraction they become large, persistent emission sources and fire risks.

References

UNEPGlobal Peatlands Assessment and Global Peatlands Initiative

carbon storage significance and restoration agenda

IPCCWetlands Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines (2013)

emissions accounting for drained and rewetted peatlands

Overview

What it means

Peatland drainage in Southeast Asia (for palm oil and pulpwood) and Europe has turned some regions into chronic emitters; drained peatland fires in Indonesia have produced some of the largest single pollution events on record. Rewetting and restoration can halt most emissions and recover biodiversity and water regulation.

How it is used

Peatlands feature in national greenhouse gas inventories (a distinct IPCC reporting category), in restoration policy such as the Global Peatlands Initiative, and in commodity certification standards restricting new planting on peat.

Why it matters

Peatlands are among the highest-stakes carbon stores on Earth: protecting and rewetting them is one of the most cost-effective land-based climate measures, while continued drainage undermines net zero goals.