1. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Restoring degraded peatlands to achieve GHG emission reductions Viktar Fenchuk Irina Voitekhovich APB-BirdLife Belarus Yelnia raised bog, Belarus

2. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Peatland restoration in Belarus UNDP-GEF Peatlands project (2006-2010) GEF SGP Projects Belarus Climate & Biodiversity projects (2008-2012) Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus Village councils

3. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010) Peatland restoration in Belarus UNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010) Normative documents on ways for utilization of depleted peatlands. Rules and procedures for renaturalization of depleted peatlands and other damaged wetlands. Developed, approved and valid from January 01, 2009. Sectoral Programme on renaturalization of degraded peatlands of the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus (National Implementing Agency) developed and under implementation. Inventory of depleted peatlands with identification of directions of their utilization started. Experience on restoration of depleted peatlands and other damaged mires gained.

4. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Before renaturalization - СО2 emissions are 10-20 tons/ha annually 12 sites restored with the total area 25,782 ha. (2,491 ha pending restoration) After renaturalization - СО2 emissions are 0 tons/ha annually Preliminary data received in 2009 show reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 220 000 tons per year. GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010) Peatland restoration in Belarus UNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)

5. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 - Wetland plant associations make up 10-30% at the site; - Wetland water-birds species make up 0-10% of all the species. - Wetland plant associations make 58 - 96% at the site; - Wetland water-birds species make 20-48% of all the species. Results so far: - biodiversity benefits Before renaturalization: After renaturalization: - benefits for local population -conditions created for re-appearance of medicinal plants; - more places for rest; - more possibilities for gathering berries (mainly cranberries and bog bilberries) and mushrooms.

6. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 GEF SGP Peatland restoration projects Peatland restoration in Belarus GEF SGP Peatland restoration projects currently 4 sites natural and degraded peatlands re-flooding of more than 6000 hectares stop the emission of up to 60,000 tCO2e/y

7. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 IKI BMU Climate mitigation initiative coordinated by KfW The main aim is to achieve –Reduction of GHG emissions and –Enhancement of biodiversity through the restoration and sustainable management of large degraded peatlands. First phase: Re-wetting of 15,000 hectares of peatland to avoid approx. 100,000 tCO2e/y is planned. The methodology to be developed creates the basis for a carbon asset to finance the re-wetting of up to 520,000 hectares peatland in Belarus. Restoring peatlands and applying concepts for sustainable management in Belarus A Climate Change Mitigation Project with Economic and Biodiversity Benefits

8. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Project Main Targets Target 1: Conservation and sustainable use of peatlands is a key target of international nature conservation and climate protection Target 2: Restoration and sustainable management of degraded ecosystems for further preservation and sustainability Target 3: Conservation of Biodiversity, e.g. Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) and the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) Target 4: Economic benefits as local economies will initially benefit from implementation of project measures, and later on from project site management Target 5: Long-term management of project sites (possibility to use biomass achieving more positive effects for climate and biodiversity)

9. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Sustainable Management of Degraded Peatlands through Trading of Emission Reductions The trading of emission reduction requires: Voluntary Carbon Standard (amended for inclusion of Peatland Rewetting and Conservation) Approved Peatland Rewetting Methodology Tool to Calculate Emission Reduction after Rewetting and Conduct Monitoring Validated Project Documents

10. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 What is achieved Voluntary Carbon Standard Guidance for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Projects Tool for AFOLU Methodological Issues were amended for inclusion of Peatland Rewetting and Conservation (PRC) activities Current situation: under approval

11. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Pilot areas: Dolbenishki degraded peatland Raised bog Former peat extraction site Area 4400 ha Estimated emission reductions 22,500 tCO2e/y (very conservative)

12. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Pilot areas: Vygonoshchanskoje degraded peatland Fen mire drained for agriculture Area 700 ha Estimated emission reductions 3,500 tCO2e/y (very conservative) First case of rewetting of agricultural areas

13. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Rewetting: Sites Selected (first very conservative conservative estimates) PeatlandS, haAverage ER, tCO 2e /ha Total amount ER, tCO 2 Ostrovskoe7004,22940 Vygonoschanskoe7005,13570 Dolbenishki44005,122440 Svyatoe28004,211760 Total860040 710

14. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 SummarizingSummarizing c. 7000 ha restored in 2009 Voluntary Carbon Standard PRC developed and under approval Tool to Calculate Emission Reduction after Rewetting and Conduct Monitoring being prepared Project documents are being developed Experience transfer to other countries – Ukraine, Russia (rewetting methodology, standard…)

15. United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Thank you !