Side event details
In the context of the finalisation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN decade for ecosystem restoration, there is a consensus that the restauration of ecosystems, and particularly wetlands, should be intensified. Such restoration action is particularly urgent as the global community failed to achieve Aichi target 15, which aimed to trigger restoration of 15% of global degraded ecosystems by 2020.
Degraded wetlands must be restored as they play crucial roles not only locally, intersecting biodiversity, climate adaptation, and water issues, but also globally. The Global Wetland Outlook, 2021 special edition stresses research findings that show the unique importance of massive peatland restoration (50 million hectares or about 60% of currently degraded peatlands) to allow the land system to become a global net carbon sink in 2100.
As such, this session aims to disseminate tools and good practices for Contracting Parties and other stakeholders to embrace and implement national wetland restoration programmes. The session will particularly emphasize three key steps: how to develop/strengthen capacities, how to define a large-scale prioritisation strategy that integrates science-based evidence and social considerations, and how to monitor results.
The session will prove useful for the COP14 discussions related to the 4th and future 5th Ramsar Strategic Plans, as confirmed by SP Goal 12 of the current 4th Strategic Plan, and paragraphs 7 and 20 of the document COP14 Doc.18.4.
The session will be co-organised by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, France and the Ministry of the Environment, Finland. The IUCN Commission for Ecosystem Management, Tour du Valat, and Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland are partners, supporting the organisation of this side-event.
Introduction 1’
1st step: Developing/strengthening capacities 20’
More than 30 years of experience of peatland and wetland restoration: where are we now? (Prof. Line Rochefort, IUCN CEM) 15’
An ISO initiative for professionalizing practices (Sylvain Boucherand, Chair ISO TC 331 group) 5’
2nd step: Large-scale prioritization 13’
Identifying the best potential zones for restoration: from regional mapping to local opportunities (Raphaël Billé, Tour du Valat) 10’
Drawing lessons from the Finnish experience (Dr. Santtu Kareksela, Head of Peatland group of Finnish Board on Ecological Restoration) 3’
3rd step: Monitoring implementation of ecological restoration 20’
National monitoring network for peatland restoration (Dr. Santtu Kareksela, Head of Peatland group of Finnish Board on Ecological Restoration) 10’
Experiences from Mediterranean ecosystems restoration (Bruno Boz, MedWet) 10’
Interaction with audience 5’
Conclusion 1’