PEATLANDS in Southeast Asia 

Climate awareness seems to be on the rise with more countries and industries pledge to contribute. Scroll down to learn more on impacts of climate change, including updates on palm oil and peatland management and awareness efforts. 

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Review of Regional Haze Situation in ASEAN Region for September 2021

In September 2021, Southwest Monsoon conditions prevailed over the ASEAN region. The northern and southern ASEAN sub-regions continue to experience their traditional wet and dry seasons, respectively.

Above-average rainfall was recorded over Mekong region mainly due to the tropical cyclones. Three tropical cyclones were detected and affected the northern ASEAN sub-region namely Typhoon Chanthu, Tropical Storm Conson and Tropical Storm Dianmu. 

For the southern ASEAN sub-region, rainy weather was observed over many areas despite the dry season period. Average daily rainfall was highest in Sabah, western Kalimantan, and central Sumatra, while relatively drier conditions were observed over the Java Sea region.

Based on surveillance by the NOAA-20, a total of 2,572 hotspots with high confidence level were detected in ASEAN region. The hotspot count increased almost double compared to the previous month. Seventy percent from the hotspots were detected in Kalimantan alone. Localised smoke haze was observed for few days emanates from hotspot clusters in western Kalimantan. Slight smoke plumes were occasionally detected from some of the hotspots in eastern Kalimantan and southern Sumatra. However, no significant transboundary smoke haze was observed over the ASEAN region during September review period.
 

La Nina climate cycle may reemerge in 2021: UN

The World Meteorological Organization shared that there is 40-percent chance that La Nina, which last held the globe in its clutches between August 2020 and May, would reappear again by year-end.

CARBON-NEUTRAL GOALS

Researchers and organisations alike are enhancing the development of carbon capture technology as part of a diverse suit of solutions to curb carbon emissions. This development is deemed needed because natural gas will remain in use for a long time.

Malaysia commits to be carbon-neutral by 2050

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced commitment to no longer building new coal-fired power plants in Malaysia and to use economic instruments such as carbon pricing and carbon tax to accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s green economy. 

Sri Lanka to cease building coal-fired plants, aims to be net-zero emitter by 2050

Sri Lanka has set a target of achieving 70% of all its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced the country aims “to transition away from fossil fuels, promote de-carbonization, and make Sri Lanka a carbon neutral country by 2050.”

British export finance agency aims for net zero emissions by 2050

UK Export Finance (UKEF) pledged to decarbonise all operations and financial portfolio across its investments by 2050 and increase its support for green exports. This move follows by the criticisms by campaigners that backed groups are not doing enough. 

Top carbon emitters fall short on climate risk disclosure, report says

A study by Carbon Tracker and the Climate Accounting Project (CAP) revealed that more than 70% of 107 assessed companies did not reflect the full risks resulting from climate change in their 2020 accounts.

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE 

Study documents dramatic loss of remaining Pyrenees glaciers

According to a study published in Geophysical Research Letters, the Pyrenees mountain range – natural border between Spain and France – saw three glaciers disappear or become reduced to since 2011 with an average loss of 6.3 meters of ice thickness.

Climate change blamed for New Zealand's warmest winter

New Zealand had its warmest winter on record this year exceeding the previous record set last year. Temperatures in the June-August period were 1.32 degrees Celsius above average setting back-to-back record winters. 

World on 'catastrophic' path to 2.7°C  warming: UN chief

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that despite pledges, the global emission is on “a considerable increase” causing the world to be on a catastrophic pathway to 2.7 degrees of heating.  

Climate change could trigger internal migration of 216 million people - World Bank 

The report, Groundswell 2.0, modeled the impacts of climate change on six regions, concluding that climate migration "hotspots" will emerge as soon as 2030 and intensify by 2050, hitting the hardest on the poorest parts of the world.

PEATLAND PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT 
 

Global Environment Centre (GEC) organised a virtual conference session on ‘GHG emissions from Peatland Management in relation to Malaysia’s commitment under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change’. Through the Virtual IGEM 2021, the session went live on 30 September 2021 with four experienced panelists and moderator.

Peatland Round Table — moving beyond peat extraction

On 2 September 2021, LIFE Peat Restore co-hosted along with Eurosite (Home – Eurosite) an online panel discussion on the future of the peat industry, with a focus on how we can move beyond peat extraction. 

FAO launches practical tools to encourage soil organic carbon sequestration

On 8 September 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched two global products namely:

The global map shows the global soil organic carbon map while the technical manuals explain the background and technical information on peatlands.

The Final Review of The ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) 2006-2020

Peatland Pavilion will feature at UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)

The Peatland Pavilion will provide a hub for highlighting the important role that peatlands play around the globe at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 26th Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP26) in Glasgow this November. A broad range of events will be organised to drive discussion on key thematic areas of peatlands as a key nature-based solution.

A tiny house made by cattail (a plant from rewetted peatland in Germany) is on a roadshow!

The Greifswald Mire Centre started a two-week road tour with Paludi Tiny House on 3 September 2021. The tiny house was made from paludi culture material (not entirely) aims to promote sustainable use of bog plants. 

Scottish loch is set to become the UK’s latest "carbon emissions sink"

Under plans developed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) in partnership with Scottish Water, lands around Loch Katrine will be United Kingdom’s latest carbon emission sink. 

Why Saving World’s Peatlands Can Help Stabilize the Climate

The recent loss of peatlands is not as irreversible as the decline of sea ice or the meltdown of glaciers. Scientists estimate that 80 percent of the world’s 4 million square kilometers of peatlands are still largely in pristine condition.

UPDATES ON THE PALM OIL INDUSTRY

India is one of the largest palm oil consumers, used in almost all everyday/essential products. To reduce dependence on other countries and cut down on import bills, the government decided to boost domestic production of the commodity raising concern over environmental impacts. 

Indonesia to use "existing laws" as palm oil moratorium expires

Indonesia’s moratorium on new plantation permits expires and the government is not showing indication of extension. Environmentalists are raising concerns over the use of existing law which favours business interests at the expense of environment and labour. 

Palm oil giant’s industry-beating ESG score hides razed forests

Golden Agri Resources Ltd - world’s second-largest palm oil company - acknowledged in February that its Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) unit destroyed forests and violating the rights of indigenous people.

Perfect storm of production headwinds plagues Malaysia’s palm oil recovery

Malaysia’s palm oil industry is facing production headwinds as manpower to upkeep palm oil plantations is not enough and difficult to hire new ones due to the coronavirus. The setback will likely drag global stocks to their lowest level in five years.