The peatland scientists from Greifswald presented their 1.5 x 3.0 m map in the Peatland Pavilion on the site of the 26th Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26) on 9 November 2021. The pavilion was organised by the Succow Foundation, partner of the Greifswald Mire Centre and further members of the Global Peatlands Initiative. A programme of events related to peatlands on all continents has made it possible for the first time to make the topic of peatlands visible to an international audience throughout the entire Climate Change Conference. The map of the world’s peatlands shows a large majority of the peatlands that have been discovered so far and provides an overview of the location, size and distribution of peatlands and organic soils across the globe. The data is included in Greifswald’s Global Peatland Database.
The objective of the Greifswald Mire Centre and its partners in the Global Peatlands Initiative is to raise awareness for the important role of peatlands for the global climate. Wet peatlands are one of the world’s most effective carbon sinks. The world’s peatlands store twice as much carbon as the biomass of all of the globe’s forests. On the other hand, drained peatlands emit large amounts of harmful CO2 into the atmosphere, thus damaging the climate. By rewetting peatlands, several countries are provided with the opportunity to stop these emissions and to reactivate drained peatlands as carbon sinks in the long term.
The programme at the Peatland Pavilion of the Climate Change Conference is aimed towards the negotiating delegates and observers attending the conference. The new and comprehensive map of peatlands provides new points of reference for global collaboration. Those interested have been able to follow the events over the internet via livestream. This simply requires registration here. Information will also be available after the Climate Change Conference has finished on the website of the Global Peatlands Initiative | Peatlands Matter – for planet, people and climate.
Further Information
Greifswald Mire Centre
Succow Foundation
Media Photo
Contact at the Greifswald Mire Centre
Dr. Alexandra Barthelmes
Coordinator of the Global Peatland Database
Tel.: +49 3834 835 42 18
alex.barthelmesgreifswaldmoorde
Dr. Franziska Tanneberger – on location in Glasgow
Head of the Greifswald Mire Centre
franziska.tannebergergreifswaldmoorde