PEATLANDS in Southeast Asia 

Elevating peatlands as the nature-based solution to climate change is ongoing while promoting the pivotal roles of nature to combat climate change is gaining its pace. Carbon emission rate continues to be talked about in facing climate crisis. 

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The Sustainable Use of Peatland and Haze Mitigation in ASEAN (SUPA), Component 1 organised a webinar to establish a baseline of the main challenges and impacts to peatland management from unprecedented events such as COVID-19 pandemic. Panellists also discussed the best practices to increase resilience of peatlands and its communities.

“Originally, this event was planned as a physical conference to be held in Jakarta, bringing together experts, researchers and stakeholders from across ASEAN to sit round the table and identify the knowledge gaps on peatland in Southeast Asia. Naturally, with COVID-19 we’ve had to pivot from a single physical event to 8 virtual ones,” says Satya Budi Utama, Senior Project Lead of People for Peat.

BUILDING MOMENTUM IN PEATLAND CONSERVATION EFFORTS
 

The Philippines is stepping up to conserve their peatlands.

"The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has forged a partnership with leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to protect one of the country’s most vital natural resources needed to combat climate change – its peatlands."

These celebrities are also building a new hype for the environment by raising awareness on climate change and advocating for peatlands. More here

Yayasan Gambut (Peatland Foundation) amps up empowering local communities on peatland restoration initiatives.

Follow Yayasan Gambut telling the stories of local communities in Desa Temiang and Desa Penampi, Indonesia as they are committed towards zero-burning farming initiatives while sustainably contribute to the peatland restoration initiatives by the local government.

You can also follow Yayasan Gambut Facebook page for updates.
 

Kenya taking steps to save its swamps.

Environmental actions are being taken to conserve the Ondiri swamp, previously referred to as “old lake”, which is Kenya’s largest known quaking bog is taking place. "The Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK), had been established in 2016 by David Wakogy. This community-based association aims to promote public participation in the conservation of Ondiri Swamp."

Creating alternative livelihood while contributing to peatland rehabilitation

GEC empowers the local communities living adjacent to the Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF), Malaysia on best management practices for peat swamp forest. While collaborating with them, GEC also aims to develop a potential alternative income to improve their living condition. Watch the two videos on how they are empowered to earn income via Kelulut (stingless) bees and backyard nursery.

COUNTRIES REFINING CARBON GOALS

U.N. chief presses EU to set tougher climate change target

Europe looks likely to be the first large economy to translate its net zero goal into near-term commitments. The bloc's 27 member countries aim to strike a deal in December on a new 2030 climate target.

Decarbonising Malaysian companies — moving towards net zero

"...they must reinvent themselves. The path to net zero — decarbonisation — is increasingly unavoidable for business. When to start? The sooner the better." The article is discussing the challenges and the possibilities of companies moving towards net-zero carbon emissions in respond to the statement by Petroliam Nasional Bhd president and group chief executive officer Tengku Muhammad Taufik whom made clear on Oct 28 its aspiration to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Canada government seeks carbon neutrality by 2050

"Net-zero emissions by 2050. It's ambitious -- but it's possible, it's necessary, and it's exactly what we're going to do," Trudeau said on Twitter. "Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced if we want to reach this target," he added separately to reporters.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China would step up its efforts to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and fulfil its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, according to the official news agency Xinhua."

URGING NATURE-BASED CLIMATE SOLUTION

Peatlands, a super Nature Based Solution – home and refuge for unique and threatened biodiversity

Global Peatlands Initiative lets you explore the rare and unique biodiversity of peatlands from around the globe shared by experts including the experiences and strategies to showcase why peatlands are, indeed, a Super Nature Based Solution. 

Calls for greater protection of peatland

UK Government are being called to phase out peat burning and protect the peatlands to tackle climate change. "I think nature-based solutions are being utterly neglected in the global climate agenda and wrongly so," said climate minister Zac Goldsmith.

Peatlands as a safe haven for rare and threatened biodiversity

“We have very special biodiversity in our peatlands, and they’re also an important space for livelihoods, disaster control and culture,” said Alue Duhong, Indonesia’s vice minister for environment and forestry. “We need to make sure these vulnerable ecosystems are not further threatened by human activities.”

NEW STUDIES ON PEATLANDS

Tropical peatland conservation could protect humans from new diseases

A study titled Tropical peatlands and their conservation are important in the context of COVID-19 and potential future (zoonotic) disease pandemics was published in the PeerJ journal November 17, 2020. The study suggests that unsustainably managed peatland poses risks of spreading zoonotic disease from bats, rodents, pangolins and primates.

New research reveals major benefits of integrated approaches to climate and nature

"...conserving 30 per cent of land in strategic locations could safeguard 500 gigatonnes of carbon stored in vegetation and soils – around half the world’s vulnerable terrestrial carbon stocks – and reduce the extinction risk of nearly 9 out of 10 threatened terrestrial species."