Content
Peatlands are ecosystems composed of decomposed, hydrosaturated biomass. They harbor unique and endangered flora and fauna and are extremely efficient natural carbon sinks. In the ASEAN region, peatlands cover approximately 24.7 million hectares, representing 56% of the world's tropical peatlands. It is estimated that ASEAN peatlands store about 68 billion tons of carbon, or 14% of the carbon stored in peatlands worldwide. In recent decades, human interventions such as deforestation, slash-and-burn, deforestation, drainage for agriculture, and consequently increasing forest fires have turned the carbon-rich peatlands of ASEAN into gigantic carbon emitters. Annual emissions are now estimated at about 2 billion tons, or about 5% of global emissions from fossil fuels. Since the late 1990s, Southeast Asia has been plagued by uncontrolled, large-scale land and forest fires, mainly in peatlands. The fires caused severe transboundary smoke pollution that affected the health of millions of people, impeded transportation, caused economic losses, and strained diplomatic relations between neighboring ASEAN countries. On a global scale, this situation contributed to a huge release of carbon and widespread loss of the unique and valuable peatland biodiversity and ecosystems.
Goal
The specific objective of the ASEAN-REPEAT program in to improve the sustainable management of peatlands to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in ASEAN countries, minimize the risk of forest fires, and reduce transboundary haze
Approach
The project will be implemented using a multi-level approach involving actors at regional, national, sub-national and local levels. Based on this intervention logic, implementation is divided into three work areas:
Work Area 1: Strengthening regional cooperation by strengthening ASEAN.
Work Area 2: Provide specific support to ASEAN member states in implementing the ASEAN Peatlands Strategy and National Action Plans.
Work Area 3: Collecting pilot experiences from Indonesia and Malaysia.