Joint Nordic Statement to the Ramsar Convention, 27.04 2015

1. In the Nordic countries, peatlands cover a significant portion of the land area. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon and constitute an important integrated part of the water cycle and are important both for preserving biodiversity and limiting humanly induced climate change.

2. The use of peatland areas have impacts locally, regionally and globally. Peatland restoration creates multiple benefits and important ecosystem services, particularly in terms of carbon storage and reducing carbon emissions, water balance and quality, biodiversity habitats, flood control and dealing with consequences of drought, as well as recreation. Protecting and restoring peatlands also supports long-term supply of certain agricultural commodities. Drainage and deforestation of peatlands will in many cases eradicate these important ecosystem services.

3. In a situation where we are all taking measures to limit climate change, we fully recognize the importance of peatlands as carbon storages and sinks. And we encourage further cooperation to restore and conserve peatlands to preserve biodiversity, secure ecosystem services and limit humanly induced climate change, at national as well as global level.

4. As Nordic Ministers of Environment we invite all Parties to support the draft resolution on peatlands (ref. draft resolution on restoration and conservation of peatlands submitted by Denmark and supported by Finland.)

5. We are committed to work together, both on a global level and in our region with our Baltic neighbours with the aim to properly incorporate restoration of peatlands also into the post 2020 Climate Agreement to be decided at COP 21 in Paris in December.