Despite growing awareness of the importance of peatlands, there are still critical gaps in information and research that must be filled in order to understand the contribution of peatlands to climate change mitigation; and their role as a vital nature-based solution [to climate change]. These gaps can only be filled through the cooperation of all actors involved and their commitments to act against further drainage or degradation of peatlands as well as progressive rewetting and restoration efforts. These approaches offer a low-cost, low-tech and high-impact opportunity – not only for the tropics, but the entire world – to leverage peatlands as a nature-based super solution to address the global climate emergency. Nature needs time to heal; therefore, intact, healthy peatlands must be protected and managed so they can be preserved, and degraded peatlands restored, as soon as possible.

The session will share how tropical forested wetlands, especially peatland forests, play a fundamental role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. At the same time, panelists will share their knowledge concerning the importance of healthy peatlands. A discussion will follow, focusing on the following points:

• Understanding the challenges and opportunities of peatlands restoration projects;
• Understanding how restoration projects can optimize management activities;
• Understanding aspects of restoration to be emphasized for maximum impact;
• Understanding the importance of conserving and sustainably managing intact peatlands.

The International Tropical Peatlands Center (ITPC), Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI), their partners and tropical peatland practitioners and researchers will participate in discussions concerning restoration strategies. The event will also provide a forum where project managers, donors, private companies and NGOs working on peatlands may express their interests and commitments to collaboration with GPI and ITPC. This will contribute to forming networks for knowledge sharing related to restoration and conservation management projects, in order to draw the world’s attention to the necessity of conserving, protecting and sustainably managing these unique ecosystems.

Moderator/Speakers:

• Welcome and speaker’s introduction
• Moderator invites each speaker to make short remarks: Tim Christophersen, UN Environment
• Importance of collaborative research and linking science to practice through innovation: Agus Justianto, International Tropical Peatlands Center (ITPC)
• The urgency peatlands monitoring systems in advising on decision-making and policies aimed at improving management of peatland landscapes: Mette Wilkie, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Technology and private sector innovation for peatlands restoration and conservation, capacity building and private public partnerships – a rebound of rare species: Tsuyoshi Kato, vice president, Wana Subur Lestari (private-sector timber firm)