strategy for responsible peatland management · management. 6 edition, international peatland...
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Donal Clarke and Jack Rieley (Ed.) 6th, edited edition
Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management
StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementFirstEditionadoptedataStakeholderSeminarinAmsterdaminOctober2010Sixth,editededitionrevisedbymembersofCommissionsandExpertGroupsoftheInternationalPeatlandSocietyandmanyofitsmembersandstakeholdersin2019Publisher:InternationalPeatlandSocietyNisulankatu78B40720Jyväskylä,Finlandphone:+358404184075email:[email protected]:www.peatlands.orgEditedby:DonalClarkeJackRieleyMembersofIPSExecutiveBoardCoverphoto:DanMeyersPrintedat:Siirtopaino,Jyväskylä,October2019Copyright2019byInternationalPeatlandSociety.AllrightsreservedCitationformat:Clarke,D.&Rieley,J.O.(2019)StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement.6 Edition,InternationalPeatlandSociety,Jyväskylä,Finland.th
ISBN978-952-99401-4-1(Paperback)ISBN978-952-99401-5-8(PDF)
StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Extentofpeatlands1.2 Ecologicalimportanceandusesofpeatlandsandpeat
2. OBJECTIVESOFTHESTRATEGY
2.1 Peatlandmanagement
2.2 StructureoftheStrategy2.3 Visionforresponsiblepeatlandmanagement
3. STRATEGICOBJECTIVES
3.1 Biodiversity3.2 Hydrologyandwaterregulation3.3 Climateandclimatechangeprocesses
3.4 Economicactivities
3.5 After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration3.6 Humanandinstitutionalcapacityandinformationdissemination
3.7 Engagementofpeople
3.8 Goodgovernance
4. FOLLOW-UP
5. ACRONYMS
6. GLOSSARY
7. REFERENCES
8. ANNEXES
8.1DevelopmentoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement8.2OrganisationsconsultedorinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheStrategy
LISTOFFIGURES
Figure1Extentandlocationofglobalmiresandpeatlands(PEATMAP)Figure2GlobalestimateofareasusedfordifferentusesofpeatlandFigure3StructureoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
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StrategyforResponsible1PeatlandManagement
Summary
1)Peatlandsandtheirecologicalandsocialservicesareuniquebiological,environmentalandeconomicresources.
2)TheaimsoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementareto:
• Undertakepeatlandmanagementaccordingtotheprinciplesandwithintheframeworkof‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands’1bysafeguardingtheirenvironmental,socialandeconomicfunctionsandrespectingtheirlocal,regionalandglobalservices.
• Ensurethatü highconservationvaluepeatlandsareidentifiedandconserved,ü utilisedpeatlandsaremanagedresponsibly,andü drained,degradedorotherwisechangedpeatlandsarerehabilitatedtoreinstateas
manyecologicalandlandscapefunctionsandservicesaspossible.• Providethoseinvolvedinorresponsibleforpeatlandmanagementwithstrategic
objectivesandactionsforimplementation.
3)Peatlandsareusedandmanagedformanydifferentpurposes.Undrainedpeatlandsarevaluablehabitatsforawiderangeofbiodiversityandecosystemservices,andmanyaremanagedasnaturereserves.Drainedpeatlandsareusedmostlyforagricultureandforestry,butarelativelysmallareaisharvestedtoprovidepeatforenergy,growingmediaandotherproducts.Peatlandsarealsoaffectedindirectlyasaresultofotherlandscapeactivities,forexample,miningandmineralextraction,recreation,reservoirconstruction,urbanisationandwindfarms.4)TheStrategyisdirectedtoeveryoneresponsiblefororinvolvedinthemanagementofpeatlands,orinthepeatsupplychain,andisapplicabletoalltypesofpeatlandundereveryuseorimpact.Itshouldbeappliedineverycountryinwhichthisbiological,hydrologicalandlandscaperesourceoccursorinwhichpeatproductsareprocessedorused.TodelivertheStrategy,peatlandsshouldbemanagedresponsiblybyfocusingonthefollowingpriorityissues.
5)Biodiversity:Pristinepeatlandsareuniquenaturalresourcesformingdistinctecosystemsofimportanceformaintenanceofbiodiversityatgenetic,speciesandhabitatlevels.TheStrategyprovidesguidelinesforpeatlandbiodiversityconservation,accordingtoWiseUseprinciples2andrecommendationsoftheInternationalConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)(1992),tobeincludedinlandscapeplanningandmanagementprocedures.
1 See page 126 of Joosten and Clarke 2002 2 The ‘Guidance Principles’ (section 5.4. of Joosten and Clarke 2002, esp. principles 9-14).
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After-useplansforpeatlandsusedforeconomicpurposesshouldincludebestpracticemeasuresfortherehabilitationorrestorationofanoptimalrangeofecosystemandlandscapeservices.
6)Hydrologyandwaterregulation:Peatlandsarewatercatchmentsandregulators.Theymaintainandmodifywaterqualityandquantity,actassinksforsomesubstances(e.g.carbonandwaterandaerialandwaterbornepollutants),produceothers(e.g.dissolvedandparticulateorganicmatter),andinfluencethetemporalpatternofwatersupplytoriversandlakes.Theroleofpeatlandsinwaterregulationdependsonmaintainingorrestoringtheintegrityoftheiruniquehydrology.Managementactivitiesshouldavoidunnecessarydeteriorationinthequalityandquantityofpeatwaterandgroundwaterinthesurroundinglandscape.
Afteruse,peatlandwaterlevelsandflowregimesshouldberestoredtoasclosetothenaturalreferenceconditionsaspossible.
7)Peatlandsandclimatechange:Peatlandsaredependentonclimate,especiallyrainfallandtemperature,fortheirformationandmaintenance.Somepeatlandplantssequestercarbonfromtheatmosphereandstorelargeamountsinpeat.Peatlandsgloballyarethelargestterrestrialstoreofcarbon,exceedingthatoftheworld’sforests.Undercertainconditionspeatlandsmaycontributetoclimatechangeprocessesbyreleasingcarbondioxideormethanetotheatmosphere.Greenhousegasexchangebetweentheatmosphereandpeatlandsexhibitsmuchspatialandtemporalvariationrelatedtodifferencesinclimate,ecology,hydrologyandmanagement.
Peatlandmanagementshouldavoidincreasingand,whereverpossible,reducehuman-inducedgreenhousegasemissionsandprotecttheircarbonstore.
8)Economicactivitiesonpeatland:Peatlandsprovidelivelihoodopportunitiestolocalcommunitiesandnationaleconomies.Theyareasourceoffood,medicines,timber,amenityanddomesticenergyinsomecountries.Peatisamajorconstituentofgrowingmedia,avaluablesoilimproverandisusedinarangeofotherproducts.
Intactpeatlandsprovideeconomicbenefitsthroughenvironmentalservicessuchascarboncapture,waterregulationandbiodiversitymaintenance.
Economicuseofpeatlandsshould
• Avoiddamagingpeatlandsofhighconservationvalueandprioritisetheuseofpeatlandsthathavebeendegradedbyhumanintervention.
• Preventdevelopmentofanypartofpristinepeatlandsbecausethisactivitywillimpactnegativelyontheecohydologicalcharacteroftheentirepeatland.
• Promote,wherepossibletheuseofappropriatepeatsubstitutesingrowingmediaandfornon-essentialusesofpeat.
9)After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration:TheWiseUseofpeatlandsforeconomicpurposesrequiresplannedafter-use,forexample,agriculture,forestry,recreationandwildlifehabitatandbiodiversityprovision(natureconservation).Theexactnatureofafter-usewilllikelybedeterminedbythelandownerinconsultationwiththerelevantplanningauthorityandspecifiedintheplanningconsentandlicensetooperate.Thiswillprobablyrequiresomeformofmitigation,restorationorrehabilitation,andmayinvolverewettingtoraisethewatertable.
Peatlandrestorationshouldaimtoreturndegradedpeatlandstoconditionsinwhichecosystemfunctions(e.g.carbon,energyandnutrientdynamics,decompositionoforganicmatter,
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biodiversityandproductionofbiomassandwaterregulation)areascloseaspossibletonaturalconditionswithintheconstraintsofpracticalityandatreasonablecost.After-useplansshouldincludebestpracticemeasuresforrehabilitationorrestorationofanoptimalrangeofecosystemandlandscapeservicesbasedonsoundscience.
10)Humanandinstitutionalcapacityandinformationdissemination:Itisimportanttoincreasetheknowledge,skillsandunderstandingofallstakeholderstopromotetheactionsneededtobringaboutthedesiredresultsofresponsiblepeatlandmanagement.Stakeholders(e.g.governmentadministrations,researchinstitutes,theprivatesector,NGOs,localcommunitiesandindividuals)needtounderstandthevariousissues,respecteachother’sviewsandworktogether.Objectivesshouldincludethe
• Facilitationofinformationdisseminationandcommunicationwithallstakeholders,includinglocalcommunities,individualsandthepublic.
• Promotionofbetterunderstandingofpeatlandenvironmentalfunctionsandecologicalandlandscapeservicesandtheirresponsestoclimatechangeandmanagementoperationsbycollatingandassessingdataondifferenttypesofpeatlandandbysharinginformation.
11)Engagementofpeople:Promotelocalcommunityengagementandparticipationinthedecision-makingandimplementationprocessesinvolvedinpeatlandmanagementtohelplocalpeopleunderstandthekeyissuesandpriorities.
Responsiblepeatlandmanagementwillprovidelivelihoodopportunitiesforlocalpeople,respecttheirrights,heritageandtraditions,andpromotegenderequality.
12)Goodgovernance:‘Goodgovernance’meansresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandsinamannerthatisopen,transparent,accountable,equitableandresponsivetopeople’sneeds.
Regulatoryframeworksandlegislationneedtobeinplaceatinternational,regional,nationalandsub-nationallevelstoensureresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandsandvoluntarymechanisms(forexample,funds,certification,paymentsforecosystemservices)thatcomplementthese.
13)Peatlandplanningandmanagement:shouldbebasedonrigorousandverifiablescientificknowledgeandpracticalexperience.
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StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
1. INTRODUCTION
TheStrategyforResponsible3PeatlandManagement(SRPM)appliescommonlyagreedprinciplesforthe‘WiseUseofPeatlands’4tothemanagementofallpeatlandsandprovidesobjectivesandactionsforimplementation.TheSRPMisdirectedtoeveryoneresponsiblefororinvolvedinthemanagementofpeatlands,orinthepeatsupplychain,andisapplicabletoalltypesofpeatlandundereveryuse.Itshouldbeappliedineverycountryinwhichthisbiological,hydrologicalandlandscaperesourceisfoundorinwhichpeatproductsareprocessedand/orused.‘Use’isemployedinawidesenseandincludesbothconservationandnon-use1.Onaglobalbasis,responsiblemanagementofpeatlandsincludestheconservationofthemajorityofpristineorsemi-naturalpeatlands,mostespeciallythoseofhighconservationvalue.TheSRPMacknowledgesthereareadverseimpactsofmanypeatlandusesandproposesmitigationmeasurestoredressthese,butitdoesnotmakevaluejudgementsregardingdifferentusesofpeatlands.
TheinitiativetodeveloptheSRPMwastakenbytheIPSincollaborationwitharangeofstakeholders.TheStrategywasdevelopedthroughaseriesofmeetingsandconsultationphases,asoutlinedinAnnex1.TheStrategyisaglobaldocumentandprovidesanoverallcontextwithinwhichtodealwithspecificlocal,nationalorregionalissues. Itisapplicabletocertification,conservation,restoration,utilizationandafter-use.Allusesofpeatlandsandpeatrequiretheirownspecificguidelinesforpracticalimplementation.
1.1 ExtentofPeatlands
Peatlandscoveranestimatedareaofmorethan400millionhectaresinsome180countries(Figure1),equivalentto3%oftheEarth’slandsurface.DetailedestimatesoftheextentofpeatlandsaregiveninLappalainen(1996)5andAppendix1toJoostenandClarke2002.
3 Responsible: Different parties have differing opinions on how to apply the term ‘sustainable’ to uses of peatlands. This has led to the use of the terms ‘wise use’ and ‘responsible management’. During consultations leading to the original SRPM (2008-2010) discussions took place on the appropriate term to define the proposed Strategy. Words such a ‘wise use’ and ‘sustainable’ were considered but the consensus was to use the word ‘responsible’. The Wise Use book defines a responsible decision as: “Any decision should consider its effects on other individuals and entities. Decisions at one level should reflect the interests of other levels3”. A responsible approach to managing a peatland is one which acknowledges the effect on other people and ecosystem services, and balances environmental, social and economic priorities. 4 This strategy is inspired by the IMCG/IPS book “The Wise Use of Mires and Peatlands – Background and Principles including a Framework for Decision-making” published in 2002 and referred to in this document as Joosten & Clarke 2002. The terms used in this document rely strongly on commonly accepted definitions and their interpretations used in previous publications, principally those in Joosten & Clarke 2002. Some are explained in the Glossary. Wise Use of peatlands is defined as those uses for which reasonable people, now and in the future, will not attribute blame (Joosten & Clarke, 2002 p 19). 5 Lappalainen, E. (1996) Global Peat Resources, International Peat Society, Jyväskylä, Finland, 359pp
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Figure1.GlobalpeatlanddistributionderivedfromPEATMAP6.(ThecolourclassesindicatepercentagepeatlandcoverinCanada,wherethesourcedatawereprovidedasgridcellsratherthanshapefiles;andregionswherepeatlandcoverwasestimatedfromhistosolsofHWSDv1.2.Elsewhere,whereshapefilesarefreelyavailable,individualpeatlandsandpeatcomplexesareshowninsolidblack.) 1.2 EcologicalImportanceandUsesofPeatlandsandPeat
Globally,undrained,naturalpeatlandsarehabitatsforawiderangeofbiodiversityandprovideimportantecosystemservicesthatareofbenefittohumansocieties.
Keypeatlandecosystemservicesincludebiodiversitymaintenance,carbonandwaterstorage,solutedetention,andwaterregulation.Peatlandsaremanagedandusedformanydifferentpurposes,includingnatureconservation(Figure2).
Drainedpeatlandsareusedmostlyforagricultureandforestry7andtoamuchlesserextentareharvestedtoprovidepeatforenergy,growingmediaandchemicalprocesses.
Peatlandsarealso‘used’ormanagedindirectlybecauseofotherlandscapeactivities,forexample,mineralextraction,mining,recreation,reservoirconstruction,urbanisation,andwindfarms.
Historically,peatlandshavefulfilledmanyhumanneedsincludingfood,domesticenergy,houseconstructionmaterial,andlivestockbedding;theyhavecontributedtoarts,culture,music,healthandreligion.
Peatlandsarearchivesofenvironmentalchangeandhumanhistory,containingrecordsofclimate,landscapechangeandpreservingartefactsfrompastsocieties.
6 Xu et al (2018) Catena, 160: 134-140 7 Joosten and Clarke 2002 p33.
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Figure2:Globalestimateofareasusedfordifferentusesofpeatland(Basedoninformationfrom:Strack(2008);Pageetal(2011))
(Thisdiagramdoesnotincludetheareaofpeatlandaffectedbyindirectpeatusessuchasfloodingforreservoirconstructionorextractionofmineralsunderneaththepeat.Dataforpeatlandsabandonedaftereconomicusesarenotavailable.Otherspecificuseswhicharenotincludedareconservation(i.e.areaswithaprotectedareastatus),reedculture,tourism,fisheries,andtraditionalusesbyindigenouspeople.“Drainedtropicalpeatlands”includespeatlandsusedforoilpalmandpulpwoodplantations,forestry(includingillegallogging),agriculture,infrastructure,etc.)
Insomepartsoftheworld,theuseofpeatlandhasbeenintensive,alteringcompletelytheecosystemsofmiresandimpactinglandscapes.Inothers,theusehasbeenmoreextensive,ornon-existent,causinglesschangeordamage.MostArcticandSubarcticpeatlandsarestillintact.InEuropepeathasceasedtoaccumulateinover50%oftheformermireareaandalmost20%nolongerexistsaspeatland8.Over50%ofIndonesia’speatswampforestshavebeendeforestedanddrainedforagricultureandplantationssince19809.Approximately80%oftheoriginalareaofbothtropicalandnon-tropicalmiresisstillinlargelypristinecondition(undeveloped)althoughinabout25%ofthispeataccumulationmayhavestoppedbecauseofnaturalprocessesandrecentclimatechange.Itisestimated,therefore,thatpeatisstillactivelyaccumulatingon50%oftheoriginalglobalmirearea5.2 OBJECTIVESOFTHESTRATEGY
TheobjectivesoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement(SRPM)areto:
• Informthoseinvolvedinorresponsibleformanagingpeatlandsofcommonlyacceptedprinciplesforthe‘WiseUseofPeatlands’andactionstoimplementthese.
• Improvepeatlandmanagementwithintheframeworkof‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands’1.
8 Joosten and Clarke 2002 9 Hooijer et al. 2005
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• Ensurethathighconservationvaluepeatlandsareidentifiedandconserved,‘utilised’peatlandsaremanagedresponsibly;anddrained,degradedorotherwisechangedpeatlandsarerehabilitatedtorestoreasmanyecologicalandlandscapeservicesaspossible.
2.1 PeatlandManagement
Managementinvolvestheorganisation,regulationandadministrationofapeatlandanditsuseforspecifiedpurposes.Managementshouldbeappropriatetothepeatlandtype,useandsocio-economic,cultural,andenvironmentalconditions.2.2 StructureoftheStrategy
TheStrategy(Figure3):
• beginswithavisionstatement(Section2.3);• identifiesstrategicobjectivesforresponsiblemanagementcategorisedintoeight
priorityareasunderthreemajorthemes(‘Importance’,‘Objectives’and‘Actions’)(Section3);
• setsoutspecificactionsforeachprioritytoachievetheobjectives. 2.3 VisionforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
Peatlandsareuniquebiological,ecological,societalandeconomicresources.Thevisionforresponsiblepeatlandmanagementis:
PromotingWiseUseofpeatlandsthroughsafeguardingtheirenvironmental,socialandeconomicfunctionsandrespectingtheirlocal,regionalandglobalvalues.
Figure3:StructureoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
Vision
Priority Issues
Monitoring the performance
Eight priorities
Vision
Priority Issues
Monitoring the performance
Vision
Priority Issues
Monitoring the performance
Vision
Priority Issues
Monitoring the performance
Priority Issues
Monitoring the performance
Priority Issues
Strategic Objectives for each priority
Monitoring the performance
Three themes
Actions to deliver objectives
Monitoring performance
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3 STRATEGICOBJECTIVES
Todeliverthevision,peatlandsmustbemanagedinaccordancewithstrategicobjectives.Theseobjectivesaregroupedintoeightpriorities,underthreemajorthemes10,asfollows:Ecologicalservicesprovidedbypeatlands:
• Biodiversitymaintenance• HydrologyandWaterregulation• Climatestabilisationandclimatechangemitigation
Activitiesrelatedtopeatlands:• Socio-Economic• After-use:rehabilitation,restorationandothermanagementactivities.
MeansofpromotingWiseUse:• Humanandinstitutionalcapacity,educationandinformationdissemination• Engagementofpeople• Goodgovernance
Undereachpriorityan‘introduction’explainswhyithasbeenselected;the‘objectives’indicatehowitshouldbeaddressed;andthe‘actions’outlinehowresponsiblemanagementcanbeachieved.3.1Biodiversity
3.1.1 Importanceofpeatlandsforbiodiversity
Peatlandsareuniquebiologicalresourcesformingdistinctecosystemsoflocal,national,regionalandglobalimportanceforbiodiversitymaintenanceatgenetic,speciesandhabitatlevels.Theycontainspeciesthatarefoundonlyormainlyinpeatlandsandarehometosomeoftherarestspeciesofplantsandanimalsmanyofwhicharehighlyadaptedtothespecificpeatlandenvironmentalconditions.Therearemanydifferentpeatlandtypes11globallywithgreatvariationinbiodiversitybetweenthem.Forexample,tropicalpeatlandsareamongstthemostbiodiverseecosystemsontheplanet.TheimportanceofhabitatandbiodiversitymanagementandtheprotectionofecologicalfunctionsandservicesprocessesarerecognisedinternationallythroughtheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)1992.
3.1.2 Objectives
Peatlandmanagementshould:
1. Maintain,throughgovernmentlegislationandconservationdesignationsandactions,thebiodiversityandnaturalresourcefunctionsofrepresentativeexamplesofimportantmiretypesandsemi-naturalpeatlandecosystems.
2. Recognisetheimportanceofpeatlandsasimportantreservoirsofbiodiversity,andecosystemservicesatthelandscapelevelandintegratethemwithinlanduseplanningandmanagementprocedures.
10 These headings were identified from stakeholder discussions. The order in which they are listed does not imply their relative importance. 11 Joosten and Clarke 2002 pp25-31
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3. Includeactionstosafeguardpeatlandecosystemfunctionswhenplanningandimplementingmanagementinterventionsforspecificsites.
4. Includebiodiversityprotectionandenhancementinafter-useplansforpeatlandsusedforpeatextraction,forestry,agricultureandotheruses.
5. Takeactionstomaintainand/orenhancebiodiversityondrained,cut-overanddegradedpeatlandsthroughappropriateplannedmanagementduringandafteruse.
6. Maintainasmuchpeatlandbiodiversityaspossibleinareasadjacenttothosewherepeatlandsmaybelostforever(e.g.floodingforhydro-electricitygeneration,watersupply,urbanisationorremovalofthepeatforsub-surfacemineralextraction).
3.1.3 Actions
Itisrecommendedto:
• FormulateguidelinesforpeatlandbiodiversityconservationaccordingtoWiseUseprinciples12andrecommendationsoftheInternationalConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)(1992).
• Review,synthesiseandintegratewhereappropriateavailablelocalknowledgeandnationalandinternationalresearchfindingsanddataonbiodiversityofpeatlands.
• Specifyinmanagementplansreferringtotheprotectionorconservationofpeatlands,activitiesnecessarytoensureongoingmaintenanceandenhancementofbiodiversityandecosystemfunctionsandconsidertheecologicallyandhydrologicallylinkedsurroundings.
• Monitorpeatlandbiodiversityregularlytoprovidefeedbackonchangesinrelationtobaselinevaluesandinformationforimprovingmanagementdecisions.
• Includeguidelinesforafter-usethatemploybestpracticemeasuresfortherestorationofanoptimalrangeofbiodiversityandecosystemserviceswhenplanningfortherehabilitationorrestorationofpeatlandsdrainedforeconomicuses(seeSection4.5).
• Supportthecompilationof“Red”listsofpeatlandsofhighconservationvaluewhichareendangeredandshouldbereservedforconservation.
3.2 HydrologyandWaterRegulation
3.2.1 ImportanceofpeatlandsinpeatlandandlandscapehydrologyTheroleofpeatlandsinwaterregulationdependsonmaintainingtheintegrityoftheiruniquehydrologythatmaybeindependentofbutlinkedtothehydrologyoftheadjacentpeatlandandthewiderlandscape.Peatlandsmodifywaterqualityandquantity,actassinksforsomesubstancesandsourcesofothersandinfluencethetemporalpatternofwaterdeliverytoriversandlakes.Thus,theextentandconditionofpeatlandwithinariverbasininfluencesthehabitatconditionsforaquaticbiotaandtheecologicalstatusofwaterbodies.Dependingontheirpositionwithinthehydrologicalandlandscapesystem,manypeatlandsalsoprovide‘unseen’waterregulationfunctionswithconsiderabledirectvaluetohumansociety.Exceptunderextremeweatherconditions,headwaterpeatlandsreceivewaterfromrainfallandreleaseit
12 The ‘Guidance Principles’ (section 5.4. of Joosten and Clarke 2002, esp. principles 9-14).
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graduallywithbeneficialeffectsonriverflowsdownstream.Peatlandssituatedinlowerpartsofriverbasinsactastransitionareasforwater,providingtemporarystorageforbothrainfallandrunoff,smoothingflowregimesovertime.Peatlandslocatedonfloodplainscanattenuatefloodpeaksofwatermovingdownrivertherebyprovidingnaturalfloodprotectiontodownstreamhumansettlements.3.2.2 Objectives
Peatlandmanagementactivitiesthatinfluencethelevel,quantityandqualityofwaterbothonsiteandinthesurroundinglandscapeshould:
1. Keeporrestorewaterlevelsandflowregimesasclosetothenaturalreferenceconditionsaspossible.
2. Carryoutdrainageandothermanagementpracticesonlytotheextentrequiredandavoidunnecessarydeteriorationinthequalityandquantityofgroundandsurfacewaters.
3. Ensurethatimpactsoflong-termdrainage,peatremovaland/orsubsidencemanagementactivitieswillbelimitedtoanextentthathydrologicalmanagementcanbeimplementedinacost-effectivewayaspartofanafter-usestrategy.
3.2.3 Actions
Itisrecommendedthat:
• Drainageofpeatlandconsiderstheimportanceofwaterquality,quantityandflowdynamicsinthepeatlanditselfandinadjacentanddownstreamlocations.
• Watermanagementonpeatlandsisbasedonbestavailableknowledgeandtechniquesandcarriedoutaccordingtointernationalconventionsandregionalandnationallegislationandpriorities.
• Effectivefloodandsedimentcontrolarepartofalldrainageactivities.
• Waterqualityandquantitystandardsaremeasuredagainst,andsetintermsof,baselinesofrecognisedstandardsonsiteandinsurroundingareas.
• Theminimumdrainagenecessarytoenablecurrentandfuturelanduseandmaintenanceareimplemented.
• Peatlandusedoesnotresultinthecreationofvastlydifferentsurfacelevelsthatwouldmakehydrologicalrestorationdifficulttoachieveinacost-effectiveway.
• Regularre-evaluationiscarriedouttoensurethatbestwatermanagementoutcomesareachieved,usingup-to-datepracticesandbasedontheresultsofcontinuingwaterquality,quantityandcatchmentmonitoring.
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3.3 Climateandclimatechangeprocesses
3.3.1 RoleofpeatlandsinclimatechangeprocessesPeatlandsaredependentonclimate,includingrainfallandtemperature,fortheirformationandmaintenance.Greenhousegasexchangebetweentheatmosphereandpeatlandsexhibitsmuchspatialandtemporalvariationrelatedtodifferencesinclimate,hydrologyandmanagement.Miressequestercarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereandpeatlandshavebeenmajorglobalcarbonstoresformillennia.PeatlandsalsoemitCO2andCH4,theamountsofwhichareinfluencedbylanduse,temperature,andwaterlevel;thelattertwofactorsarelikelytobeaffectedbyremovalofvegetation,drainage,fireandfutureclimatechange.Peatlandsdrainedforagricultureandforestryemitsubstantialamountsofcarbondioxideand,inthecaseoftheformer,alsonitrousoxide(N2O).PeatlandunderextractionreleasesrelativelysmallamountsofCO2comparedtopeatlandusedforagricultureorforestry.However,carboninpeatextractedneedstobeaccountedfor.Appropriatemanagementcanprotectthecarbonstoreinpeatlandsandsuitableafter-usemethods,deployingre-wettingandre-vegetatingcandecreasenetgreenhousegasemissionsandcreateconditionsforfuturecarbonsequestrationandpeatformationalthoughmethaneemissionsmayincreaseforatime.Theimpactsofpeatlandsandtheirmanagementonclimatechangeandviceversaarenotfullyunderstood,butithasrecentlybecomeclearthatthedegradationofpeatlandsiscontributingtoglobalgreenhousegasemissions.
3.3.2 Objectives
Peatlandmanagementshouldavoidincreasingand,whereverpossible,reducehuman-inducedgreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlandsandprotecttheircarbonstoresthrough:
1. Planningandadoptingmanagementstrategies,regimesandtechnologiesthatprotectcarbonstoresandminimisegreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlands.
2. Planningandimplementingpeatlandmanagementandafter-useactionsthatachieve
lowergreenhousegasemissionsthanfromcurrentorprevioususeandincreasethepotentialforgreenhousegassequestration.
3. Preventingunnecessary13andillegalexpansionofpeatlandutilisation.
4. Monitoringcarbonstoresandgreenhousegasemissionsfrompeatlandsinorderto
obtaininformationontheimpactsofdifferentmanagementregimesandpromote‘bestpractice’.
5. Ensuringthatcarbonaccountingofpeatlandsisincludedinpeatlandmanagement
planning.
6. Obtainingfurtherinformationontheimpactofpeatlandmanagementonclimatechangeprocessesandviceversa.
13 Joosten and Clarke 2002 §5.6.5 (2) p135.
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3.3.3 ActionsItisrecommendedthat:
• Themostrecentscientificinformationongreenhousegasfluxesshouldbeconsideredintheformulationofpeatlandmanagementplans.
• Thecarbonstoresandcarbonsequestrationfunctionsofpeatlandsshouldbeprotectedand conserved in accordancewith the requirements of international conventions andregional and national statutory requirements and management plans should includemitigation measures to maximise peat carbon stores and minimize greenhouse gasemissions.
• Peatlandmanagersshouldcarryoutcarbon‘lifecycle’analyses,orworkwithscientiststoobtainthem,andusethisinformationwhendesigningmanagementactivities.
• Peatlandafter-useshouldhavelowCO2emissionratesandincreasedcarbonsequestrationpotential,consideringthelongtimescalerequiredforsequestrationandtheotherservicesprovidedbypeatlands.
• Scientificinformation,awarenessandunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenpeatlandsandclimatechangeshouldbeincreasedandrelevantknowledgecontributedtoresponsiblemanagementplanningthrough:
- providingaccessibleinformationontheimportanceofpeatlandmanagementinrelationtoclimatechangetopublic,corporateandgovernmentdecisionmakers
- encouragingtheresearchcommunitytoprovideclearscience-basedinformationontheirfindings
• Thepotentialofpeatlandrehabilitation(rewetting)andotherafter-useactivitiesforreducingemissionsfrompeatlanddegradation(e.g.mitigationactions)mustbeinvestigatedtocompensateforcarbonemittedelsewhere(e.g.inthepeatland-basedandpeat-basedindustry,agricultureandforestry).Carbonoffsetscouldbeameansforthepeat-basedandpeatland-basedindustriestoreducethecarbonfootprintoftheirproducts.
3.4 EconomicActivities
3.4.1 ReasonsforeconomicactivitiesPeatlands,inadditiontoundertakingimportantecosystemfunctionsandprovidingecosystemservices,arevaluableeconomicresourcesinmanycountrieswheretheyhavebeenusedandvaluedforcenturiesfordifferentpurposes.Theyhavebeenasourceoffuel,foodandrefugetolocalcommunitieswhereaccessible.Whererelativelyinaccessiblealargeproportionhaveremainedintact.Significantchangeshavetakenplaceintheusesofpeatlandsduringthelastcentury.Increaseddemandforregionaldevelopment,housing,energy,forestry,horticultureandagriculturehavebeenamongthecausesofthesechanges.Peatlandsprovidelivelihoodopportunitiesandwelfaretolocalcommunitiesandareasourceofdomesticenergyinsomecountries.Peatisamajorconstituentofgrowingmediaworldwide,avaluablesoilimproverandisusedinotherpracticesandproducts,includingforhumanhealth.
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3.4.2 Objectives
Peatlandmanagementforeconomicpurposes14should:
1. Prioritisedegradedpeatlandsandavoiddevelopmentofallorpartsofpeatlandsofhighconservationvalue(fortheirbiodiversityorecosystemservices).
2. Recognisetheeconomicbenefitsprovidedbylargelyintactpeatlandsthroughenvironmentalservicessuchascarboncapture,waterregulationandbiodiversitymaintenance.
3. Adoptplanningproceduresforeconomicusesofpeatlandsthatconsidertheinterestsandincorporatetheviewsofallstakeholdersequitablyandareinaccordancewithrelevantinternationallegislationandconventions,nationallawsandregulationsandreflecttheWiseUseprinciplessetoutbyJoosten&Clarke2002.
4. Proposalsforpeatlandafter-use(seeSection3.5)shouldbemandatoryintheinitialplanningstageforeconomicuseandprovidenotonlyspecificationsoftheworkprogrammebutalsofinancialprovisiontoenablethistobecarriedout,monitored,andmaintained.
5. Economicactivitiesondegradedpeatlandsshouldavoidnegativeimpactsonhydrologicallyorecologicallylinkedpristinepeatlandsorpeatlandsthatareofhighconservationvalue.
6. Consideruseofdegradedpeatlandstoproducetimberoragriculturalcropsandlivestockproductiononlywhentheseareeconomicallyviableandsociallynecessaryandifappropriateandeffectivemitigationofadverseimpactswillbeundertaken.
7. Consideruseofpeatandpeatlands15forenergygenerationwhenitcanbederivedfromdegradedpeatlandsandwhereitisanecessarypartofdomesticenergypolicy,increasestheefficiencyofburningrenewablesorprovidesacrucialelementinregionaldevelopment.
8. Consideruseofpeatforhorticulture,beddingandotherpurposes(forexample,medicalandhealthproducts,andactivatedcarbon)whenitcanbederivedfromdegradedpeatlandsandprocessedinanefficientmannerthatachieveshighqualityoutputsandminimisesnegativeimpactsontheenvironment.
9. Strivetodevelopsuitablereplacementconstituents(inpartorinwhole)forpeatingrowingmediaandforotherusesofpeat.
10. Avoiddeforestationanddrainageoftropicalpeatlandsforagriculture,infrastructureorplantations.
14 Although some specific economic uses are listed in this section, the objectives should be implemented in relation to all economic uses of peatlands (see Joosten and Clarke 2002 pp48-72) 15 Peatland can be used for energy generation even if peat is not a fuel, for example, flooding for hydroelectric schemes, excavation for mineral extraction (e.g. tar sand in Canada), and installation of wind farms.
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3.4.3 ActionsIfnotregulatedbynationallaw,itisrecommendedto:
• Carryoutenvironmentalandsocialimpactassessmentsattheplanningstageofeconomicuseanditshouldbearequirementofthoseresponsiblefordevelopingandmanagingpeatlandsto:
- Commissionandpayforenvironmentalandsocialimpactassessments,includingoff-siteimpactsoftheactivityproportionatetothesizeoftheareaandtheimpactofthedevelopment.
- Preparecomprehensiveplansforpeatlandutilisationincludingafter-use.- Selectpeatlandsforfuturecommercialutilisationthathavealreadybeen
drainedorinotherwaysdegraded.- Applybestavailablepractices,notentailingexcessivecost16,tominimise
negativeenvironmentalimpactsandincreaseeconomicefficiency.- Undertakeconsultationwithkeystakeholders.- Ensureconsiderationofbothshort-andlong-termimpacts.
• Ensuretheuseofpeatandpeatlandsforenergyandheatgenerationonlytakesplaceinareas/regionswhereitisanecessarypartofthelocalenergysupplyandwheretheuseofpeatismosteconomicallyand/orsociallybeneficial.
• Ensuretheuseofpeatinhorticultureandotherapplicationsisbasedonitssuitability
forthepurposeintendedandisusedonlywhenothertechnically,economicallyandenvironmentallysuitablealternativesareunavailable.
• Promoteresearchonthedevelopmentofalternativeandcomplementarygrowing
mediaconstituentsincludingcultivationofSphagnum(peatmoss).
• Ensuretheuseofpeatlandsforagriculture(includingpaludiculture),forestry(includingplantations),recreationandotherpurposesisinaccordancewithWiseUseprinciplesandcontainedinaplanforresponsiblemanagementandafter-use.
• Reviewtheprofitabilityorproductivityofagricultureandforestryonpeatlandsand
considermoreenvironmentallyappropriatealternativeuses.
• Supportestablishmentandimplementationofindependentcertificationsystems(forexample,thecertificationsystems‘ResponsiblyProducedPeat’(RPP)andtheVerifloracertificationsystem)toprovideevidenceofresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandstosatisfymarketdemandforproductsandservicesoriginatingfromresponsiblymanagedpeatlands.
16 BATNEEC - Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost
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3.5 After-use,rehabilitationandrestoration3.5.1 Importanceofplanningforafter-useTheWiseUseofpeatlandsforeconomicpurposesrequiresplannedafter-useandfundingtoimplementit.Therearedifferentoptionsforafter-useofpeatlandsfollowingeconomicuse,includingagriculture,forestry,paludiculture,recreationandwildlifehabitatandbiodiversityprovision(natureconservation).Thespecificafter-usechosenwilllikelybedeterminedbytherelevantplanningauthorityandspecifiedintheplanningconsentandlicensetooperate.
Peatlandsusedfornatureconservationmayalsorequirerehabilitationmeasurestorestorethemtoaconditioninwhichtheycansupportmaximumbiodiversityandreducenetgreenhousegasemissions.Somedegradedpeatlands,especiallyinEurope,weredrainedcenturiesagoforagriculture(uplandgrazing),animalbedding(lowlandraisedbogs),watersupply(fillingreservoirs)andgamesports(grouseshooting).Someoftheseactivitiesalsoincludedburningaspartofmanagement.ThesepeatlandsemitlargequantitiesofCO2andmanyarebeingrewettedtoreducetheseemissions.
Thechoicessuitableforafter-usewilldependonpeatlandtypeandformermanagementaswellastheconditionofthe‘used’peatland.Intermsofafter-useoptions,peatlandsmaybemanagedtoprotecttheircarbonandwaterstoresbymaintaininghighwatertablesatornearthesurface.Meadowsonpeatlandcanbere-wettedafterlong-termagriculturaluseascanforestlandafterdeforestation.Re-wettingandrevegetatingwithindigenousspeciescanalsobeachievedintropicalpeatlandsafterdeforestation,drainageorfire.Plannedafter-useshouldbeanintegralpartofmineralextractionbeneathpeatlandswhichcausesdegradationoftheoverlyingpeatlandecosystem(forexample,tarsandsoilextractioninCanada).
3.5.2 Objectives
1. Peatlandrehabilitationorrestorationshouldreturndegradedpeatlandstoconditionsin
whichecosystemfunctionsareascloseaspossibletonaturalconditionswithintheconstraintsofpracticalityandatreasonablecost.
2. Efficientproceduresshouldbeadoptedtoensurethatpeatlandsarenotabandonedina
degradedstatewhentheireconomicuseceases.Proceduresmayinclude,forexample,obligationstoimplementrehabilitation,restorationorotherafter-useplans,includingcontingencyprovisions.
3. Preventfurtherdrainageanddegradationofabandonedpeatlandsandtargetthemforrestorationwitheithergovernmentinitiativesorasgovernmentprojectswithindustrysupport.
3.5.3 ActionsItisrecommendedto:
• Preparemandatoryafter-useplansduringtheinitialplanningprocessofpeatlandmanagementandinenoughtimeforawiderangeofopinionsandoptionstobeincorporated.
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• Identifythepartiesthatwillberesponsiblefortheimplementationofafter-useplansduringtheplanningprocessandensuretheyhaveaccesstotherequiredfinancialresourcestoachievesuccess.
• Ensurethatwhenpeatlanduseceasesthelandscapeconditionsaresuitableforrestorationandafter-use.
• Usethelatestscientificknowledgeofpeatlandecosystemfunctionstoderiveacceptableandtestedafter-usemanagementpracticesfortherestorationofpeatlands.
• Considerstakeholderviewsontheafter-useofpeatlandsaswellaslocalpeatlandownershipissuesinordertohelpensurethesustainabilityofthemeasurestaken.
• Monitorandreviewtheimplementationofafter-useprogrammesoverarealistictimescaleandmodifyproceduresifobjectivesarenotbeingrealised;consultstakeholdersontheireffectiveness,consideringlandownershipissuesandtraditionalrights.
3.6 HumanandInstitutionalCapacityandInformationDissemination3.6.1 ImportanceofdisseminatinginformationamongstakeholdersandthepublicForthesuccessfuladoptionandimplementationoftheSRPM,stakeholders(e.g.governmentadministrations,researchinstitutes,theprivatesector,NGOs,localcommunitiesandindividuals)needtounderstandthevariousissues,respecteachother’sviewsandworktogether.Topromotethis,education,trainingandinformationdisseminationarerequiredthatfocusontheobjectivesandactionsoftheStrategy.Itisimportanttoincreasetheknowledge,skillsandunderstandingofallstakeholdersandtopromotetheconsensusneededtobringaboutthedesiredresultsofresponsiblemanagement.
3.6.2 Objectives
1. Improvetheknowledgeandexpertiseonpeatlandsofallstakeholdersinvolvedintheirmanagementandfacilitateinformationdisseminationandcommunicationwithotherstakeholders,includinglocalcommunities,individualsandthepublic.
2. Promotebetterunderstandingofpeatlandfunctionsandtheirresponsestoclimatechangeandmanagementoperationsbycollating,assessingandsummarisingdataondifferenttypesofpeatlandpracticesandbysharinginformation17.
3. Promotebetterunderstandingofthecultural,archaeologicalandpalaeoecologicalvalueofpeatlands.
17 E.g. databases and meetings
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3.6.3 ActionsItisrecommendedto:
• Investineducation,trainingandinformationdisseminationon:- Peatlandmanagementplans- Environmental,socialandeconomicimpactsandvaluesofpeatlandmanagement
andpeat-basedproducts- Peatlandbiodiversity,habitatsandnaturalresourcefunctions- Peatlandconservation- Interactionsbetweengreenhousegasemissionsandpeatlandmanagement- Rehabilitation,restorationandafter-usemanagement.
• Sharebestpracticeinformationandexpertiseamongststakeholdersinvolvedin
peatlandmanagement,includingconservationorganisationsandthepeatindustry,forexample,viatheInternet.
• Supportprovisionofinstitutionaltrainingfacilitiestoprovidespecificprogrammes
focusedonpeatlandsasanaturalresourcecomparabletocurrentprovisionsforforestry,fishandwildlife.
• Involvestakeholdersinawarenessraisingactivities.
3.7 EngagementofPeople3.7.1 ImportanceofunderstandingkeyissuesThegoaloflocalcommunityengagementinthedecision-makingandimplementationprocessesinvolvedinpeatlandmanagementistoprovideasenseofparticipationandownershipwhichinturnhelpslocalpeopleunderstandthekeyissuesandpriorities.Asaresult,otherstakeholders,especiallyprivatesectorandgovernmentagencies,willdiscover,understandandappreciatebetter,localknowledge,viewpoints,skillsandpractices.3.7.2 Objectives
Responsiblepeatlandmanagementwillimprovelocaleconomiesandmaychangeenvironmentalandsocialstructures.Inallpeatlandmanagementtheobjectivesshouldbeto:
1. Promotelivelihoodopportunitiesforlocalpeople,respecttheirrights,heritageandtraditions,andconsidergenderissues.
2. Respectandimplementtheprincipleoffree,informedandpriorconsent.
3. Provide:- informationonpeatlandmanagementtolandownersandlocalpeople- encouragementtolandownersandlocalpeopletoundertakeresponsible
managementofpeatlandsintheirownershipandabidebycommonlawandrespecttraditionalrights.
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4. Holdmeetingswithlocalcommunitiesandpeopletodiscusshowtheycancontributetotheimplementationofresponsiblepeatlandmanagement.
5. Encouragetheprovisionofsocietalbenefitsincludingculture,educationandrecreation.
3.7.3 ActionsItisrecommendedto:
1. Integratepeatlandmanagementintothelargercontextoflandscape-andcommunity-basedlanduseplanningandshowhow:
- Stakeholders18cancontributetothedecisionmakingandimplementationprocesses.
- Managerscanprovidestakeholderswithopportunitiestocontributetotheplanningandmanagementprocessesunderexistingframeworksforlanduseplanningintheregionandstrivetoimprovethese.
• Applyopenandtransparentplanningandmanagementprocedures,including
disseminationofinformation,earlyintheplanningprocessandstressthesignificanceofpeatlandstolocalpeopleandtheimportanceofconsideringandincludingtheirviews.
• Considerpossiblealternativesforpeatlandafter-usethatprovidethebestpossible
advantagesforlocalpeopleandtheenvironment.
3.8 GoodGovernance193.8.1 Importanceofgoodgovernanceandlawenforcement‘Governance’istheexerciseofpowerorauthority–political,economic,administrativeorotherwise–tomanageresourcesandaffairs.Itcomprisesthemechanisms,processesandinstitutionsthroughwhichstakeholdersandindividualsarticulatetheirinterests,exercisetheirlegalrights,meettheirobligationsandreconciletheirdifferences.‘Goodgovernance’meanscompetentmanagementofaresourceandaffairsinamannerthatisopen,transparent,accountable,equitableandresponsivetopeople’sneeds.Goodgovernanceandlawenforcementcontributetoresponsiblemanagementofpeatlandnaturalresources.
3.8.2 ObjectivesObjectivesforthegoodgovernanceofpeatlandmanagementshouldincludethefollowing:
1. Regulatoryframeworksandlegislationatinternational,regional,nationalandsub-nationallevelstoensureresponsiblemanagementofpeatlands.
2. PoliciesonpeatlandmanagementthatfollowtheprinciplesofWiseUse,including,forexample,transparentandopenprocessesfordecisionmaking.
3. Peatlandplanningandmanagementbasedonsoundscientificknowledge.
18 Stakeholders include landowners and land users, indigenous and other local people, and others who are interested in or affected by peatland management. See definition 27 in the Glossary. 19 See definition 10 in the Glossary.
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4. Voluntarymechanisms(forexample,funds,certification,paymentsforecosystemservices)thatcomplementlegislation,regulatoryframeworksandstatementsofresponsiblemanagementprinciplesinrelevantinternationalagreements.
5. Principles, criteria, or guidance that provide greatest guarantee for maintainingbiodiversity, peatland ecosystem services and social/cultural values if the actionsproposed in the SRPM overlap with those of other voluntary mechanisms ofindustry/sectorsinvolvedinpeatlanduse(e.g.RoundTableonSustainablePalmOil).
6. Guidanceonprotectingman-madeartefactspreservedinpeatlands.
3.8.3 Actions
Itisrecommendedthat:
• Governmentsprovideupdatedlegislationgoverningpeatlandsandenforceitappropriately.
• Peatlandmanagersactinaccordancewithnationallegislation,internationalagreements
andWiseUseprinciplesineachcountryofoperation.
4. FOLLOW-UP
1. ThepartiestothisStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagementarethosewho
indicatetheiradherencetoit.Theyundertaketooperateinaccordancewithitsobjectivesandactions,believingthatthisStrategyprovidesaviableframeworkwithinwhichtheWiseUseofpeatlandscanbeimplementedandimproved.PartiesthatdonothaveresponsibilityformanagingpeatlandsshouldacceptthattheprovisionsoftheSRPMareappropriatetothemiftheyprocess,distribute,sellorregulatepeat-containingproducts.PartiesthathaveresponsibilityforpeatlandmanagementandthesupplychainshouldincorporatetheprovisionsoftheSRPMintotheirownpeatlandmanagementactivitiesandplans.ThepartiesthatsupportthisStrategyundertaketoimprovetheirpeatlandmanagementinaccordancewithit.
2. TheStrategyhasbeendevelopedasastand-aloneinstrumentandshouldbeusedto
improvestandardsofpeatlandmanagementandtoincreaseknowledgeofgoodpeatlandmanagementamonggovernments,regulatorybodiesandpeatlandmanagers.
3. ImplementationoftheStrategyistheresponsibilityofthestakeholdersnamedinAnnex
2whocontributedtoitsdevelopment.TheStrategywillbedistributedbytheIPStothesestakeholdersandtootherinternational,regionalandnationalgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganisationsandotherappropriatebodiesandindividuals.
4. TheIPSwillconvenemeetingsof,ororganiseaconsultationprocessinvolving,the
stakeholderstotheStrategyeveryfouryearstoreviewhowithasbeenimplementedandifitshouldbefurtherrevised.AreportshallbegivenbytheIPSSecretaryGeneraltotheGeneralAssemblyofMembersatthesubsequentQuadrennialInternationalPeatlandCongress.
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5. ACRONYMS
AISBL: Internationalnon-profitorganisation
BATNEEC: Bestavailabletechnologynotentailingexcessivecost
CBD: ConventiononBiologicalDiversity
CH4: Methane
CO2: Carbondioxide
CSPMA: CanadianSphagnumPeatMossAssociation
EPAGMA: EuropeanPeatandGrowingMediaAssociation.IthassubsequentlyseparateditsactivitiesintoEnergyPeatEurope(EPE)andGrowingMediaEuropeAISBL(GME).
EPE: EnergyPeatEurope
GHG: Greenhousegas
GME: GrowingMediaEurope
IMCG: InternationalMireConservationGroup
IPS: InternationalPeatlandSociety:TheIPSisaninternational,non-governmentalandnon-profitorganizationwithapproximately1,400membersfrom39countries.Itisdedicatedtofosteringtheadvancement,exchangeandcommunicationofscientific,technicalandsocialknowledgeandunderstandingforthewiseuseofpeatlandsandpeat.Furtherinformationisavailableatwww.peatlands.org
MEA: MillenniumEcosystemAssessmentframework
NGO: Non-governmentalOrganisation
N2O: Nitrousoxide
SRPM: StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
UNFCCC: UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange
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6. GLOSSARY
1.After-useofpeatland:Theplannedrehabilitation,restorationorconversionofapeatlandfollowingdrainageforeconomicuse.After-usemayincluderestorationofpeatlandecosystemfunctionsincludingbiodiversity,rehabilitationofpeatlandprocessesand/orservicesorchangingthemanagementofapeatlandforotherpurposes,e.g.agriculture,forestry,bird-watchingareas,angling,naturewalksorconstructiondevelopment.2.Biodiversity:Thevariabilityoflivingorganismsfromallsourcesincluding,interalia,terrestrial,marineandotheraquaticecosystemsandtheecologicalcomplexesofwhichtheyarepart;thisincludesdiversitywithinspecies,betweenspeciesandadherentecosystems.SynonymtoBiologicaldiversity.(Source:UnitedNationsConventiononBiologicalDiversity(1992)).3.Certification:Anattestationbyanindependentbodythataproductorprocessmeetsspecifiedcriteria:thesystemwherebysuchastatementisaudited,verifiedandcommunicated.Inthecaseofpeatlandscertificationwouldgiveassurancethatapeatlandwasmanagedtomeetthesocial,economicandecologicalneedsofpresentandfuturegenerationsandthatproductsorservicesoriginatingfromthepeatlandalsometthoseneeds.4.Conservation:Theactofkeepingsomethingentire,keepingunchanged,preservationfromloss.Usedinthesenseofadeliberateorpoliticaldecisiontopreserve.(CfJoostenandClarke2002p164.)5.Degradedpeatland:Apeatlandwhichhadlostitsoriginalfunctions,whosepeat-formingand/orecosystemfunctionshavebeendamagedordestroyed.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p165.)6.Ecology:(a)Thescienceoftherelationshipsbetweenorganismsandtheirenvironments;(b)therelationshipbetweenorganismsandtheirenvironment.(JoostenandClarke2002p165.)7.Economicuse:Anyuseofapeatlandwhichcontributestoeconomicbenefits.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p165.)8.Ecosystemservices:servicesprovidedbythenaturalenvironmentthatbenefitpeople.Thesebenefitsinclude:
• Resourcesforbasicsurvival,suchascleanairandwater;• Acontributiontogoodphysicalandmentalhealth,forexamplethroughaccesstogreen
spaces,bothurbanandrural,andgeneticresourcesformedicines;• Protectionfromhazards,throughtheregulationofourclimateandwatercycle;• Supportforastrongandhealthyeconomy,throughrawmaterialsforindustryand
agriculture,orthroughtourismandrecreation;and
Social,culturalandeducationalbenefits,andwellbeingandinspirationfrominteractionwithnature.Whilethereisnosingle,agreedmethodofcategorisingallecosystemservices,theMillenniumEcosystemAssessmentMEA)frameworkiswidelyacceptedandisseenasausefulstarting
27
point.TheMEAidentifiesfourbroadcategoriesofecosystemservicewhichallleadtodifferentbenefits:
• Provisioningservices:weobtainproductsfromecosystemssuchasfood,fibremedicines
• Regulatingservices:webenefitfromtheresultsofecosystemprocessessuchaswaterpurification,airqualitymaintenanceandclimateregulation
• Culturalservices:wegainnon-materialbenefitsfromourinteractionwiththenaturalenvironmentsuchaseducationandwell-being
• Supportingservices:functionsthatarenecessarytoproduceotherecosystemservicesfromwhichwebenefit,suchassoilformationandnutrientcycling
(www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/natural-environ/ecosystems/index.htm)9.Environmental:Theinteractionofapeatlandwiththesurroundingarea,includingthepeatlands’biodiversityvalue,ecosystemservicesandclimateimpacts.Asusedinthisdocumentthewordincludes‘ecological’.10.Goodgovernance:ThistermisusedbytheUnitedNationstodescribehowpublicinstitutionsconductpublicaffairsandmanagepublicresourcesinordertoguaranteetherealisationofhumanrights.AccordingtotheUN,goodgovernancehaseightcharacteristics:
1. Consensusorientated2. Followingtheruleoflaw3. Effectiveandefficient4. Accountable5. Transparent6. Responsive7. Equitableandinclusive.
11.Greenhousegas(GHG):Anygasintheatmospherethatcontributestothegreenhouseeffect.Theseincludecarbondioxide,methane,ozone,nitrousoxide,CFCs,andwatervapour.Mostoccurnaturallyaswellasbeingcreatedbyhumanactivity.(Seealsohttp://unfccc.int/resource/cd_roms/na1/ghg_inventories/english/8_glossary/Glossary.htm)12.HighConservationValuepeatland:TheHighConservationValueapproachisdesignedtomaintainenvironmentalandsocialvaluesinproductionlandscapes.Itisbasedonvaluescoveringspeciesdiversity,landscape-levelecosystems,rareecosystems/habitats,criticalecosystemservices,communitylivelihoodneedsandculturalvalues.HCVsarethosevaluesconsideredtobeoutstandinglyimportantatthenational,regionalorgloballevelforthefirstfourandlocallyforthelasttwo.13.Interestedparty:Apersonorgrouphavinganinterestinthepoliciesandoperationsofanactivityorbusinesswithawillingnesstoparticipateinrelateddecision-makingand/orimplementationatanappropriatelevel.Interestedpartiesincludepeatlandmanagers,industry,non-governmentalorganizations(NGOs),socialgroups,relevantgovernmentbodies,etc.
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14.Localpeople:Localpeopleareanyindividualsorgroupsofpeopleintheareainandaroundapeatlandwhoareaffecteddirectlyorindirectlybypeatlandmanagementdecisions.15.Mire:Apeatlandwherepeatiscurrentlybeingformedandaccumulating.(JoostenandClarke2002p170.)16.Mitigation:Anyprocesswhichseekstoreducenegativeenvironmentalconsequencesofaninterventioninapeatland.17.Monitor:Toperiodicallyreviewwhethertheplanforapeatlandhasbeenfollowed,comparetheactualoutcomeswiththoseplanned,andtotakeremedialactionwherenecessary.18.Paludiculture:Thecultivationofbiomassonwetandre-wettedpeatlands.19.Peat:Sedentarilyaccumulatedmaterialconsistingofatleast30%(dryweight)ofdeadorganicmaterial.(JoostenandClarke2002p172.)20.Peatland:Anareawithorwithoutvegetationwithanaturallyaccumulatedpeatlayeratthesurface.(JoostenandClarke2002p172.)21.PeatlandManagement: Organising,controlling,regulating,andadministeringapeatlandforspecifiedpurposes.Managementshouldbeappropriatetothepeatlandtype,useandsocio-economic,culturalandenvironmentalconditions.
22.Peatlandrehabilitation:Thereparationofecosystemprocesses,productivity,andservicesoftheformerpeatland,butdoesnotimplythere-establishmentofthepre-existingbioticintegrityintermsofspeciescompositionandcommunitystructure.(Source:SERI2004)23.Peatlandrestoration:Theprocessofassistingtherecoveryofpeatlandthathasbeendegradedordamagedtoasnearaspossibleitsoriginalnaturalcondition.(Source:SERI2004)24.PristinePeatland:SeeMire25.Protection:Preservation,maintenance,andenhancementofspecificbiological,social,orculturalvalue.26.Publicconsultation/participation:Aregulatoryprocessbywhichthepublic’sinputonmattersaffectingthemissought,aconsultationprocessinwhichallstakeholderscanactivelyparticipate.(AfterJoostenandClarke2002p173.)27.Rehabilitation:SeePeatlandRehabilitation.28.Responsiblepeatlandmanagement:ResponsiblepeatlandmanagementistheimplementationoftheWiseUseofpeatlandsprinciples:safeguardingtheirenvironmental,social,andeconomicfunctionsandrespectinglocal,regional,andglobalrightsandvalues.29.Resource:Anavailablesupplythatcanbedrawnonwhenneeded.(JoostenandClarke2002p.174)
29
30.Restoration:SeePeatlandRestoration.31.Re-wetting:Raisingthewatertableinadrainedpeatland,usuallybyblockingdrains.32.Semi-naturalpeatlands:Peatlandsthathavebeenusedand/ordrainedinthepastorthatarepartiallydrained,butwhichretainsomepeat-formingcharacteristicsorpotentialand/orpeatlandecosystemfunctions.33.Stakeholders:Allpersonsandorganisationshavingadirectinterest.(JoostenandClarke2002p175.)34.Usesofpeatlands:Coversallusesincludingconservationandnon-use.(JoostenandClarke2002p23.)35.Wiseuseofpeatlands:Useofpeatlandsforwhichreasonablepeoplenowandinthefuturewillnotattributeblame.Useincludesnon-use(e.g.conservation).(JoostenandClarke2002p19.)7. REFERENCES
Hooijer,A.,Silvius,M.,Wösten,H.andPage,S.2006.PEAT-CO2,AssessmentofCO2emissions
fromdrainedpeatlandsinSEAsia.DelftHydraulicsreportQ3943Joosten,H.&Clarke,D.2002.WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands–BackgroundandPrinciples
includingaFrameworkforDecision-Making.InternationalMireConservationGroupandInternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,Finland
Lappalainen,E.1996.GlobalPeatResources,InternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,FinlandPage,S.E.,Rieley,J.O.&Banks,C.J.2011Globalandregionalimportanceofthetropical
peatlandcarbonpool.GlobalChangeBiology(2011)17,798–818,Strack,M.2008PeatlandsandClimateChange.InternationalPeatSociety,Jyväskylä,FinlandXu,J.,Morris,P.J.,Liu,J.&Holden,J.2018PEATMAP:Refiningestimatesofglobalpeatland
distributionbasedonameta-analysis,Catena,160:134-140.
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8. ANNEXES
8.1 DevelopmentoftheStrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement
Theprocessleadingtothe‘StrategyforResponsiblePeatlandManagement’canbetracedbackto1997whenmembersoftheIPSandIMCGmetinSurwold,Germanytoidentifyanddiscussactivitiesformutualaction.Severalpotentialtopicswereidentifiedbutprioritywasgivento‘GuidelinesforWiseUseofPeatlands’.ProgressontheguidelinesandarangeofotherissueswerereviewedatsubsequentmeetingsofIPSandIMCG,culminatinginpublicationin2002ofthebook‘WiseUseofMiresandPeatlands–BackgroundandPrinciplesincludingaFrameworkforDecisionMaking’,authoredbyHansJoostenandDonalClarke.Thishasbecomethe‘standard’againstwhichtomeasurewhetherpeatlandsarebeingmanaged‘responsibly’inordertoprovidevariousgoodsorservices.Itprovidesaframeworkforimplementationofwiseuseofpeatlandswithinwhichconflictsbetweendifferentecologicalservicesandusesofmiresandpeatlandscanberesolvedtogetherwithasetof‘principles’toguidethisprocess.TheinitiativetodeveloptheSRPMwastakenbytheInternationalPeatlandSociety(IPS).ThefirststepsinpreparingaStrategyforresponsiblepeatlandmanagementweretakenin2008.AtameetinginBrusselsinMarch2008theCSPMAandtheEPAGMAencouragedtheIPStoprepareaplanofhowtocreate
1) aglobalpeatlandstrategy2) followingthatapeatlandmanagementcertificationscheme.
TheplanwaspreparedbytheIPSanditwaspresentedduringthe13thInternationalPeatCongressinTullamore,IrelandinJune2008andwasfurtheradvancedatameetinginHelsinkiinNovember2008.Aplanandtimetablewereestablishedin2008andearly2009.InFebruary2009ameetingwasheldinAmsterdamwhichwasattendedbyarepresentativegroupofparticipantsfromtheIPS,otherNGOsandotherorganizations.ThismeetinginitiatedthedraftingoftheStrategy.AsecondmeetingwasheldinBelfastinApril2009andfollowingthisadraftdocumentwaspreparedbytheconsultantsINDUFORandwascirculated.Thiswasfollowedbyaperiodofconsultation.Manysubmissionswerereceived,andtheconsultantsattemptedtoconsiderthesuggestionsmade.However,thestricttimetablewhichhadbeenadoptedinhibitedfullconsiderationofsomeofthesuggestionsreceived.Followingaperiodofconsultationandreflection,sometwenty-fiveorganisationsagreedtosigntheStrategywhichhadresultedfromtheAmsterdamandBelfastmeetingsandthesubsequentconsultationperiods.Asprovidedforintheoriginalplan,aseminarwasconvenedinBrusselsinOctober2009toexplainthedocumentandtoarrangeforitssignature.AtthispointitbecameclearthatseveralIPSmembersandNGOswhohadparticipatedintheprocesswerenotsatisfiedwiththedocument,anditwasdecidedthattheBrusselsseminarwouldbechangedintoameetingtochartawayahead.Are-draftinggroupwasappointedtotakeaccountofallthesubmissionsreceivedandprepareaplanforthepreparationofanewdraftStrategy.Are-draftwaspreparedandcirculatedinJanuary2010forfinalcommentandthisconsideredandacceptedatanOpenForuminAmsterdaminOctober2010.ItwasdecidedthatacceptanceanduseoftheSRPMwouldbemonitoredandreassessedeverytwoyears.Thiswasdoneandadetaileddiscussionwasheldatthe14thInternationalPeat
31
Congress(IPC)inStockholmin2012.Subsequent,IPSExecutiveBoardchangedthereviewperiodtofouryearswithreportsgivenateachInternationalPeat(land)Congress.Inpreparationforthe2020reviewoftheSRPMattheTallinnIPCaconsultationprocesswasinitiatedin2018todetermineifchangeswerenecessary.Followingthis,re-editingandupdatingtookplace,andasecondconsultationtookplaceontherevisedtext.ThechangessuggestedinthissecondconsultationwerecirculatedinMay2019andarevisedversionagreed.8.2 OrganisationsconsultedorinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheStrategyThefollowingorganizationsortheirindividualemployeeshaveactivelycontributedtotheStrategybyattendingmeetingsand/orgivingwrittenfeedback:Non-governmentOrganizationsDucksUnlimitedCanadaInternationalMireConservationGroup(IMCG)InternationalSocietyforHorticulturalScience(ISHS)IrishPeatlandConservationCouncil(IPCC)WetlandsInternational(WI)IPSCommissions(1-9)ThenineCommissions, as they thenexisted in 2009/2010,were consulted. The threenewerCommissionshavebeenconsultedin2018ontherevisedtext.NationalCommitteesofIPSCanadianSocietyforPeatandPeatlandsEstonianPeatAssociationFinnishPeatlandSocietyGermanPeatlandandPeatSocietyIndonesianPeatSocietyIrishPeatSocietyLatvianPeatProducer’sAssociationLithuanianPeatProducer’sAssociationMalaysianPeatSocietyIPSNationalCommitteeoftheNetherlandsIPSPolishNationalCommitteeIPSSwedishNationalCommitteeIPSNationalCommitteeoftheUKIPSNationalCommitteeoftheUSAResearchinstitutesAll-RussianInstituteofthePeatIndustry,St.Petersburg,RussiaAlterraResearchInstitute,WageningenUniversityandResearchCenter,theNetherlands
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DepartmentofNaturalResources,CanadaNaturalResourcesInstituteFinlandGeologicalSurveyofFinlandGeologicalSurveyofLowerSaxony,GermanyGreifswaldUniversity,GermanyHelsinkiUniversity,FinlandHumboldtUniversitätzuBerlin,GermanyInstituteofBotany,Vilnius,LithuaniaJamesCookUniversity,AustraliaPeatlandEcologyResearchGroup,UniversitéLaval,CanadaPolishAcademyofSciencesRussianAcademyofSciencesSwedishUniversityofAgriculturalSciencesTropicalPeatResearchLaboratory,MalaysiaUniversityofAppliedSciencesZittau/Görlitz,GermanyUniversityofDundee,UnitedKingdomUniversityofEasternFinlandUniversityofLatviaUniversityofLifeSciencesWarsaw,PolandUniversityofMalaysiaSarawakUniversityofNottingham,UnitedKingdomUniversityofPannonia,HungaryUniversityofWarmiaandMazury,PolandUniversityofWaterloo,CanadaUniversityPutraMalaysiaVTTTechnicalResearchCentreofFinlandWageningenUniversityandResearchCentre,theNetherlandsIndustryAssociationsAssociationofFinnishPeatIndustriesCanadianSphagnumPeatMossAssociationChambreSynd.desAméliorantsOrganiquesetSupportsdeCultureFranceEPAGMA(asitwasin2009).IndustrieverbandGarten,GermanySarawakOilPalmPlantationOwnersAssociationSwedishPeatProducer’sAssociationPeatProducingCompaniesASKraver,EstoniaBordnaMónaPlc,IrelandFlorentaise,FranceGriendtsveenAG,GermanyKlasmann-DeilmannGmbH,GermanyNeovaAB,Sweden NorthernPeatandMossCo.,UnitedKingdomPeltracom,Belgium(nowAgaris)Rostopprom,Russia
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SphagnumProductsB.V.,theNetherlandsTurveruukkiOy,FinlandVapoOy,FinlandOtherorganizationsAgri-FoodandBiosciencesInstitute(AFBI),UnitedKingdomBiopterre’sBioproductsDevelopmentCenter,CanadaCenterforInternationalCooperationinSustainableManagementofTropicalPeatland,IndonesiaDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment,UnitedKingdomDepartmentWaterAffairs,LesothoForestCarbonOffsets,USAMinistryofAgriculture,theNetherlandsMinistryofEnvironment,theNetherlandsNationalParksandWildlifeService,IrelandNaturalResourcesandEnvironmentBoard,Sarawak,MalaysiaRHPFoundation,theNetherlandsSarawakStateGovernment,MalaysiaUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)IPSExecutiveBoardIPSScientificAdvisoryBoardOtherorganizationscontacted:CAREInternationalConsultativeGrouponInternationalAgriculturalResearch(CGIAR)ConventiononBiologicalDiversityConventiononInt.TradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO)GlobalEnvironmentCentreMalaysia(GEC)InternationalCommissionofAgriculturalandBiosystemsEngineering(CIGR)InternationalCommissiononIrrigationandDrainage(ICID)InternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)InternationalUnionforConservationofNature(IUCN)InternationalUnionofForestResearchOrganizations(IUFRO)InternationalWaterAssociation(IWA)InternationalWaterManagementInstitute(IMWI)InternationalWaterResourcesAssociation(IWRA)RamsarConventiononWetlandsSocietyforEcologicalRestorationInternational(SER)SocietyofWetlandScientists(SWS)UnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD)UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)UnitedNationsDivisionforSustainableDevelopment(CSD)UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)UnitedNationsResearchInstituteforSocialDevelopment(UNRISD)
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WorldEnergyCouncil(WEC)WorldWaterCouncil(WWC)WorldWideFundforNature(WWF)InadditionAllIPSmembersconsultedbyemail,about1,000peatandpeatlandexpertsVisitorstotheIPSwebsite
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The Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management is a joint document of stakeholders involved in peat and peatland matters, initiated by the International Peatland Society (IPS).
The first steps in preparing the Strategy for Responsible Peatland Management were taken in 2008 when the IPS presented a plan for a global peatland strategy and a peatland management certification scheme at the 13th International Peat Congress in Ireland.
During 2008 - 2010, meetings of representatives of scientific institutes, industrial corporations and international non-government organisations were held in Helsinki, Amsterdam, Belfast, Brussels and Jyväskylä to finalize and further advance the Strategy. Each was followed by a period of consultation and reflection. The final document was edited by a steering group of the IPS President and Chair of the IPS Scientific Advisory Board and finally adopted at a seminar in Amsterdam in October 2010.
The Strategy was re-assessed and updated at Congresses in Stockholm in 2012 and Kuching in 2016; it was subject to in-depth revision in 2019, followed by widespread consultation after which it was republished.
About the IPS
The IPS is an international, non-governmental and non-profit organisation with approximately 1,400 members from 39 countries. It is dedicated to fostering the advancement, exchange and communication of scientific, technical and social knowledge and understanding for the wise use of peatlands and peat.
To achieve its goals, the IPS via its Commissions and National Committees regularly organises conferences, symposia and workshops, publishes research results from science and industry and serves in general as a forum to bring together experts from different fields of business, science, culture and regulatory bodies dealing with peatlands and peat. Further information: www.peatlands.org
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