A recent global study has revealed that peatlands, crucial carbon storage ecosystems, remain dangerously underprotected despite their critical role in mitigating climate change. Peatlands, which cover only 3% of the Earth's land but store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined, are being rapidly drained for agriculture and mining, releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The study found that only 17% of global peatlands are within protected areas, a stark contrast to other vital ecosystems like tropical forests (38%) and mangroves (42%). The situation is worse in countries with the largest peatland areas—Canada, Russia, and Indonesia—where protection levels are even lower. While the U.S. and Brazil, which also hold significant peatland areas, have better protection measures, researchers warn that official designations do not always translate into effective conservation on the ground.
Scientists stress that preserving and restoring peatlands is essential to limiting global warming and its consequences. With nearly a quarter of peatlands facing intense pressure from human activities, experts argue that safeguarding them is a cost-effective solution to the climate crisis. A significant portion of these ecosystems falls within Indigenous lands, which have shown lower rates of environmental degradation.
Dr. Kemen Austin of the Wildlife Conservation Society, who led the study, described peatlands as “ultra-high-value ecosystems” with dangerously low levels of protection. Besides storing carbon, they regulate water flow, prevent floods and droughts, and support diverse flora and fauna. Scientists warn that the carbon stored in peatlands has accumulated over thousands of years and cannot be restored within timescales relevant to climate change action. The release of this carbon, they say, is akin to igniting a "carbon bomb" that will continue emitting CO2 for years.
The study, published in *Conservation Letters*, examined the extent of peatland protection worldwide. While some countries, like the Republic of the Congo, have up to 90% of their peatlands within protected areas, less than 1% enjoy strict conservation status. The UK, ranking 12th in peatland area, has 41% of its peatlands within protected zones but faces significant degradation from drainage, overgrazing, and burning. Notably, the UK and Indonesia are among the few nations with comprehensive peatland conservation strategies aligned with their national climate plans.
Experts emphasize that expanding protected areas alone is not enough. Improved management, better funding, stricter environmental regulations, and enhanced land rights for Indigenous communities are necessary for effective conservation. They also highlight upcoming opportunities in 2025, when countries must update their climate and biodiversity commitments to the UN, as a crucial moment for including peatland restoration in global policies.
Scientists caution that peatlands are often overlooked due to their unremarkable appearance compared to forests, but their ecological importance is immense. They suggest that even in peatlands currently used for farming, reducing drainage depths could lower global emissions by 2% while allowing continued agricultural use. As climate-induced heatwaves and droughts further threaten these ecosystems, researchers urge urgent action to prevent the loss of one of the planet’s most effective carbon sinks.