COP29 Side Event - Revealing Global Peatland Hotspots for climate action: bridging science and policy

Background and objectives

We urgently need climate action in priority areas revealed in the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas launched at the event. The Atlas bridges science and policy through thematic maps and visuals, uniting stakeholders to set ambitious targets and leverage funds for climate action on peatlands and wetlands.

The event is a call to action for scaling up efforts under the Global Peatlands Initiative, towards peatland conservation, restoration, and sustainable management. By presenting the latest knowledge in an engaging format, it aims to attract a broad audience and raise awareness of the vital role of peatlands found in nearly every country. It seeks to bridge discussions within the international frameworks of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, emphasizing that success in one convention is linked to the others. 

The session will highlight the importance of integration, showcase available tools and data, and emphasize the urgent need for scalable financial solutions to support peatland actions that address climate change, enhance biodiversity, and ensure water security. Distinguished panelists with representatives from various countries will share their efforts in sustainable peatland management, highlighting successful initiatives and collaborative approaches that can inspire further global action.

Tentative agenda

Part I Opening

Launch of the Global Peatland Hotspot Atlas, by the Michael Succow Foundation, partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre.

Other speakers/moderators/panelists may include: UNEP/Global Peatlands Initiative, FAO, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Global Environment Centre, and Wetlands International.

Part II Panel discussion

TBC: Government representatives from Belize, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany

Questions and answers from the audience

Audience

The target audience for this event includes a broad range of stakeholders with varying levels of knowledge about peatlands and wetlands, including policymakers, practitioners, NGOs, indigenous communities, local governments, scientists and academics, and industry representatives.

Organizers

This event is organized under the efforts of the Global Peatlands Initiative, with the Michael Succow Foundation, partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Wetlands International, Global Environment Centre, UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations guiding the efforts.