At the most recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) held in Glasgow, UK, the conservation of peatlands emerged as one of the key talking points. Scientists and policymakers discussed the reduction of global emissions related to protecting and restoring peatlands all over the globe. Experts say the contributions of peatlands are undervalued, and conservation efforts have underinvested in these unique high-carbon ecosystems.
At present, about 16–25 percent of global peatlands have been degraded or drained for alternative land uses, such as agriculture production, forestry and peat mining. These practices release a significant amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide, which contributes to global warming. Therefore, conserving and restoring peatlands is an effective nature-based solution to combat climate change.
