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Investing in nature: Developing ecosystem service markets for peatland restoration

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Mark Reed, Dr Jenny Farmer, Andrew Moxey

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).

Abstract

To meet the challenge of proactive ecosystem-based climate mitigation and adaptation, new sources of funding are needed. Peatlands provide the most efficient global store of terrestrial carbon. Degraded peatlands, however, contribute disproportionally to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with approximately 25% of all CO2 emissions from the land use sector, while restoration can be cost-effective. Peatland restoration therefore provides a newopportunity for investing in ecosystem-based mitigation through the development of carbon markets. Set in the international policy and carbon market context, this paper demonstrates the necessary scientific evidence and policy frameworks needed to develop ecosystem service markets for peatland restoration. Using the UK and NE Germany as case studies, we outline the climate change mitigation potential of peatlands and how changes in GHG emissions after restoration may be measured. We report on market demand research in carbon market investments that provide sponsors with quantification and officially certified recognition of the climate and other co-benefits. Building on this, we develop the necessary requirements for developing regional carbon markets to fund peatland restoration. While this paper focuses on the UK and German context, it draws on international experience, and is likely to be directly applicable across peatlands in Europe and North America.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Bonn A, Reed MS, Evans CD, Joosten H, Bain C, Farmer J, Emmer I, Couwenberg J, Moxey A, Artz R, Tanneberger F, vonUnger M, Smyth MA, Birnie R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Ecosystem Services

Year: 2014

Volume: 9

Pages: 54-65

Print publication date: 01/09/2014

Online publication date: 14/08/2014

Acceptance date: 28/06/2014

Date deposited: 18/07/2020

ISSN (electronic): 2212-0416

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.06.011

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.06.011

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