In the quiet, often overlooked corners of the world, peatlands are quietly holding the line against climate catastrophe.
Though they cover just three per cent of the earth’s land surface, these soggy landscapes store more carbon than all the forests of the world combined—an astonishing fact that has, until now, been largely ignored in global climate strategies.
That’s beginning to change.
At COP15, held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from July 23 to 31 this year, a new initiative was formally endorsed: The Peatland Breakthrough.
Spearheaded by an alliance of organisations, including Wetlands International, UNEP, FAO, the Global Environment Centre, and the Greifswald Mire Centre, this bold, collaborative effort aims to put peatlands where they belong—at the heart of climate, biodiversity and sustainable development discussions.
Julie Mulonga, East Africa director of Wetlands International, called the move a game changer.
“Healthy peatlands are climate champions,” she said.
“They’re central to climate mitigation and adaptation, yet they’ve been undervalued for far too long. With the Peatland Breakthrough, we’re taking a huge step towards unlocking their power—for people, for nature and for the planet.”
The initiative is not just about awareness; it’s about action. It seeks to protect and restore peatlands at scale through sustainable land-use policies, climate-smart practices and financing.
By rallying public and private actors behind common goals, the Peatland Breakthrough has the potential to transform these waterlogged ecosystems into cornerstones of global climate resilience.
In Kenya, the stakes are particularly high. Peatlands—estimated to cover about 88,840 hectares (219,528 acres)—are vital for the country’s water security and ecological health.
They form part of the broader wetland network that spans around three per cent–four per cent of Kenya’s landmass and temporarily expands to six per cent during the rainy season.
For millions of Kenyans, especially those in rural and indigenous communities, wetlands are life. They provide freshwater, sustain farming and grazing, and support livelihoods.
Yet, these ecosystems are under siege. Pollution, drainage, population pressure, urban sprawl, and agricultural expansion have degraded much of Kenya’s peatland environments. In many regions, clean freshwater is no longer the norm but a fading memory.
Eva Hernandez, Global Peatlands lead at Wetlands International, underscores what’s at stake. “Peatlands are some of the highest-impact climate solutions available today,” she said.
“Yet they receive only a fraction of global climate finance. Supporting the Peatland Breakthrough is not just scientifically sound—it’s economically smart and morally urgent.”
Her message is echoed by Jan Peters, director of the Michael Succow Foundation, a key partner in the initiative.
“Peatlands are nature’s superheroes,” he said.
“But because their power is hidden beneath the surface, they’re often ignored. That has to change.”
The benefits go far beyond carbon. Healthy peatlands regulate water flows, reduce flood and drought risks and purify water.
They shelter endangered wildlife and supply food, fibre and fuel to local communities. But above all, they offer a natural, proven defence in a world increasingly destabilised by climate change.
In launching the Peatland Breakthrough, the global community is not just protecting ecosystems—it is reshaping the narrative. It’s a commitment to see value where there was once neglect, to act where there was once indifference.
And in Kenya, where the survival of peatlands is linked to the future of millions, it’s a promise that cannot come too late.
