A new international study published in Nature Communications finds that conserving and restoring Southeast Asia’s carbon-rich peatlands and mangroves could mitigate more than 50% of the region’s land-use carbon emissions. Despite occupying just 5% of the region’s land, these ecosystems play a crucial role in emission reduction efforts. The study, led by the National University of Singapore, estimates that conserving and restoring these ecosystems could mitigate around 770 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, or nearly double Malaysia’s national greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. The researchers highlight the significant climate benefits of conserving and restoring these ecosystems, which store more than 90% of their carbon in soils rather than vegetation. They also note that degradation of these ecosystems can result in massive carbon emissions and contribute to regional haze events. The study calls for ASEAN governments to integrate peatland and mangrove conservation into national climate strategies and highlights the potential for carbon credits to unlock funding for conservation and restoration projects.
A new study reveals that peatlands and mangroves play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions in Southeast Asia.
