Development Global Peatland Initiative

Grant Agreement nr. WGP1 Alterra GPI 0b2

Agreement holder: Alterra

Country/region: Global

Activity period: 01/04/2001 - 30/06/2002

Objectives and results:

1. Development of the Global Peat Initiative
2. Project development and assistance to applicants
3. GPI Funding activities

The project will serve the peat community, through information exchange, peer review of project proposals, networking and facilitation between the peat industry (IPS), NGO`s and funding agencies, lobbying donor agencies and private sector for support and co-funding.

Direct actions are:

• Brokerage between IPS and IMCG in order to foster mutual understanding

• Interesting the peat industry in certification schemes for peat use and linking GPI activities to other peat and peatland oriented projects with the goal to get major peat projects in the world operating under the GPI umbrella.

• Project ideas and project formulation

Achieved:

The GPI was successfully established, involving 5 principal partners from different sectors (private sector -IPS, science - Alterra, nature conservation –IMCG and wise use IUCN-NC & WI). In late 2002, the International Commission on Drainage and Irrigation (ICID) also officially joined the GPI.

• The GPI was welcomed by the Ramsar Convention and CBD. It was incorporated by the Ramsar Convention in draft resolution on Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (GAP), adopted at CoP8 in November 2002, as a major implementing mechanism for the GAP. It is also mentioned in the joint workplan of both conventions.

• Many government agencies, NGOs and scientific institutions welcomed the GPI and have either submitted proposals or endorsed proposals by other parties.

• By 31 March 2002 a total of 45 project ideas (concepts) and proposals had been received, mainly from S.E.Asia and central and eastern Europe, but also from regions where the knowledge base on peatlands is very limited, e.g. China, southern Africa and South America.

• Several western European agencies welcomed the GPI and have provided information about their peat programmes/projects.

• The project ensured the development of innovative peat projects, including action by industry on development of voluntary certification schemes.

• The project enabled experts to assist local project proponents to improve the strategies and action plans embedded in their project proposals, thus ensuring an increased feasibility and relevance the proposed actions, as well as an enhanced sustainability of project outcomes.

The project was highly successful in achieving its aims. The GPI has now been officially recognised at the highest international policy levels. It has developed a large network across the globe between many sectoral experts who are dealing with peatlands, as managers and in terms of exploitation. The outcomes of GPI projects thus provide direct contributions to international demonstration of values of peatlands, and the potential for their wise use and sustainable management. The project has brought people together from different (often seen as opponent) interest groups, and has facilitated dialogue resulting in concrete proposals for constructive cooperation. This project has been the glue between the other individual projects, and has ensured that their value is augmented by transferring the lessons learned and the policy decision taken to the global policy level.