United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 Restoring degraded peatlands to...

United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen - COP 15

Restoring degraded peatlands to achieve Restoring degraded peatlands to achieve GHG emission reductionsGHG emission reductionsRestoring degraded peatlands to achieve Restoring degraded peatlands to achieve GHG emission reductionsGHG emission reductions

Viktar FenchukIrina VoitekhovichAPB-BirdLife BelarusYelnia raised bog, Belarus


Peatland restoration in BelarusPeatland restoration in Belarus

UNDP-GEF Peatlands project (2006-2010)

GEF SGP Projects

Belarus Climate & Biodiversity projects (2008-2012)

Michael Succow Stiftung

Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus

Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of BelarusVillage councils


Peatland restoration in BelarusUNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)Peatland restoration in BelarusUNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)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.


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 .

Peatland restoration in BelarusUNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)Peatland restoration in BelarusUNDP/GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)GEF Peatlands projects (2006-2010)


- 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: Results so far: - biodiversity benefits- biodiversity benefits

Before renaturalization: After renaturalization:

- benefits for local population- 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.


Peatland restoration in BelarusGEF SGP Peatland restoration projectsGEF SGP Peatland restoration projectsPeatland restoration in BelarusGEF SGP Peatland restoration projectsGEF 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


IKI BMU Climate mitigation initiative coordinated by KfW

The main aim is to achieve

– Reduction of GHG emissions and – Enhancement of biodiversitythrough 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 Restoring peatlands and applying concepts for sustainable management in Belarusfor sustainable management in BelarusRestoring peatlands and applying concepts Restoring peatlands and applying concepts for sustainable management in Belarusfor sustainable management in Belarus

A Climate Change Mitigation Project with Economic and Biodiversity Benefits



Project Main TargetsProject Main TargetsProject Main TargetsProject 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)



Sustainable Management of Degraded Sustainable Management of Degraded Peatlands through Trading of Peatlands through Trading of Emission ReductionsEmission Reductions

Sustainable Management of Degraded Sustainable Management of Degraded Peatlands through Trading of Peatlands through Trading of Emission ReductionsEmission 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



What is achievedWhat is achievedWhat is achievedWhat 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



Pilot areas: Dolbenishki degraded peatlandPilot areas: Dolbenishki degraded peatlandPilot areas: Dolbenishki degraded peatlandPilot areas: Dolbenishki degraded peatland

Raised bog

Former peat extraction site

Area 4400 ha

Estimated emission reductions 22,500 tCO2e/y (very conservative)



Pilot areas: Vygonoshchanskoje degraded Pilot areas: Vygonoshchanskoje degraded peatlandpeatlandPilot areas: Vygonoshchanskoje degraded Pilot areas: Vygonoshchanskoje degraded peatlandpeatland

Fen mire drained for agriculture

Area 700 ha

Estimated emission reductions 3,500 tCO2e/y (very conservative)

First case of rewetting of agricultural areas



Rewetting: Sites Selected Rewetting: Sites Selected (first very conservative conservative estimates)(first very conservative conservative estimates)

Rewetting: Sites Selected Rewetting: Sites Selected (first very conservative conservative estimates)(first very conservative conservative estimates)

Peatland S, ha Average ER, tCO2e/ha

Total amount ER, tCO2

Ostrovskoe 700 4,2 2940

Vygonoschanskoe 700 5,1 3570

Dolbenishki 4400 5,1 22440

Svyatoe 2800 4,2 11760

Total 8600 40 710


SummarizingSummarizingSummarizingSummarizing

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…)



Thank you !

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