Peatland Forest Degradation and Emissions in South East Asia Faizal Parish Global Environment Centre Marcel Silvius, Wetlands International Forest Day 6 th December, Poznan, Poland Integrated Management of Peatlands for Biodiversity and Climate Change

Presentation Peatlands in Se asia – characteristics and values Peatlands in Se asia – characteristics and values Peatland degradation and carbon emissions Peatland degradation and carbon emissions Significance of peat emissions Significance of peat emissions Regional policy framework and action (ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative and Strategy (APMS) Regional policy framework and action (ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative and Strategy (APMS) Next steps Next steps

Peatlands in Se Asia are naturally forested Borneo

Peatlands are wetlands where : a) waterlogging delays decay a) waterlogging delays decay ; b) dead plants form peat Colchis,Georgia

Lesotho Peat accumulates for thousands of years storing concentrated Carbon in thick layers peat from 2 m deep

Peatlands globally are the most important carbon (C) stocks of all terrestrial ecosystems and store twice as large as the biomass of all the world’s forests combined Kyrgystan Peatlands and carbon

All Coal and lignite and part of the “mineral” oil and natural gas originated from peat deposits of previous geological periods.

Peatlands cover 25 million ha in Se Asia This represents about 25% of the forest area

Peat accumulates in thick layers over thousands of years under the forest canopy Distance Thickness Mineral Soil Organic matter River < 1m > 3m Peat layer up to 20 m thick Source Nyoman Suriadiputra, Wetlands International Indonesia Peatland Forests store up to 3000 tonnes/ha compared to 250tC/ha for other tropical forests

Importance of peatland forest carbon stocks Peatland forest carbon stocks in Se Asia are more than 60 billion tonnes of Carbon or c 200 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide Peatland forest carbon stocks in Se Asia are more than 60 billion tonnes of Carbon or c 200 billion tonnes of Carbon dioxide Non-peatland forests in Se Asia approx billion tonnes of carbon. Non-peatland forests in Se Asia approx billion tonnes of carbon. Peatland forests store up to 20 times more carbon per ha com Peatland forests store up to 20 times more carbon per ha com

Peatlands provide water and prevent floods

Peatland Biodiversity has high value

People in Peat swamp Forest in Pahang Peatlands Feed communities Fishing, Pahang, Malaysia Source: UNDP-GEF PSF Project

Peatlands support communities Jelutong - Chewing Gum tree, Indonesia

Peatland drainage and fires are currently the largest single source of carbon released to the atmosphere from the land use sector.

Drained peat releases carbon Drainage to 1 meter = emission of 90 ton CO 2 /ha/yr in tropics - 30 ton CO 2 /ha/yr in temperate regionDrainage to 1 meter = emission of 90 ton CO 2 /ha/yr in tropics - 30 ton CO 2 /ha/yr in temperate region SE Asia: Agriculture & agro-forestry on 12 million ha contributes around 600 MtCO 2 /yr (drainage only)

Root Cause: Linkage between Drainage and Fires

1 km Transect at Drain Source: DANIDA/UNDP-GEF PSF Project

Peatland Fires

Source: DANIDA/UNDP-GEF PSF Project

Burning peat releases more carbon > 60,000 fires in 3 out of 10 years (1997, 1998, 2002) In 2006: > 40,000 fires Tentative average annual emissions estimate: 1400 to 4300 Mt CO 2 /y

South East Asia - Local Impacts

Fires on peat swamp forest Severe fires on (converted) peatlands in Riau occur yearly, result in smoke and haze endangering traffic on one of world’s key sea lanes and causing major air pollution in Malaysia MODIS image June Red dots: fires Courtesy MODIS Rapid Response Team

© NASA TOMS 1000 km Smoke Haze spreads across the region

Peat Fires in Plantations Riau province, Sumatera - 24 th Jan 2005 PKPS, Batang Berjuntai South Selangor

Uncontrolled drainage leads to peat fires Natural condition Plantation adjacent to peat causing water outflow Draw down of water table and drying of peat soil Dry peat very vulnerable to fire, besides threat from burning in plantation

Peatland cleared and Converted to oil palm – but flooded due to subsidence Source: DANIDA/UNDP-GEF PSF Project

Regional Action – ASEAN Government response ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative established by 10 ASEAN countries February 2003 ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy ( ) endorsed by 10 ASEAN Ministers in November 2006 National Action Plans in preparation Funds being raised to support action for the first implementation period

APMI - Objectives 1. To enhance understanding and build capacity on peatland management issues in the region 2. To reduce the incidence of peatland fires and associated haze in the region 3. To support national and local level implementation activities on peatland management and fire prevention 4. To develop a regional strategy and cooperation mechanisms to promote sustainable peatland management

ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) 13 Focal Areas and 25 Operational Objectives Inventory and assessment Research 3.Capacity building and awareness 4.Information sharing 5.Policies and legislation 6.Fire prevention, control and monitoring 7. Conservation of peatland biodiversity 8. Integrated management of peatlands 9.Establishment of best managed peatland demonstration sites 10. Restoration and rehabilitation 11. Peatlands and Climate 12.Regional cooperation 13.Financing of the Initiative

Next steps Strengthen joint action at the regional level through ASEAN ( IFAD-GEF project on rehabilitation and sustainable use of peatlands in Se Asia ) Strengthen joint action at the regional level through ASEAN ( IFAD-GEF project on rehabilitation and sustainable use of peatlands in Se Asia ) ASEAN Coordination and cooperation on REDD (supported by GTZ). ASEAN Coordination and cooperation on REDD (supported by GTZ). Pilot level activities in several countries with support from multiple partners. Pilot level activities in several countries with support from multiple partners. Establishment of clear methodologies and approaches for protection, rehabilitation and management to reduce GHG emissions and provide sustainable benefits to local stakeholders. Establishment of clear methodologies and approaches for protection, rehabilitation and management to reduce GHG emissions and provide sustainable benefits to local stakeholders. Establish climate change related financing and incentive systems. Establish climate change related financing and incentive systems.

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