The Atlas builds on the Global Peatlands Assessment (2022) and accompanying Global Peatland Map 2.0, both flagship products of the UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative.
- UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative: It was formed at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP in Marrakech, Morocco in 2016.
About Peatlands
- Peatlands: Terrestrial wetland ecosystems in which waterlogged conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. Consequently, the production of organic matter exceeds its decomposition, resulting in a net accumulation of peat.
- Peat is dead and partially decomposed plant remains that have accumulated in situ under waterlogged conditions.
- Global Peatlands distribution: Peatlands cover 3.8% of the world’s land area.
- Its expanse: Naturally forested peatlands in Europe and tropical peat swamps in South East Asia, permafrost area of Russia and Canada, and high mountain peatlands in the Andes and Himalayas.
- The world's largest tropical peatlands are located in the Congo Basin.
- Peatland Degradation: Nearly 12% of global peatlands are degraded, with more than 60% of peatlands in India being degraded.
- Threats: Agriculture, peat extraction, industrial activities and infrastructure development. Represents currently 4% of global anthropogenic emissions.
- Initiatives: Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (2002), The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) resolution on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Peatlands (2019), etc.
Significance of Peatland:
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