A new 2-year project CARBOPEAT on tropical peatland, funded by the EU INCO budget line, has just been launched. This is a ‘Specific Support Action’ to promote dissemination of information derived from previous projects on tropical peatlands to policy makers in the EU and in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, it will maximise publicity on the importance of tropical peatland in the global carbon cycle and climate change to a range of stakeholders including International Conventions, Governments in countries with large areas of peatland, the private sector and the public.

In order to do this scientific data will be translated into a form that can address these important outlets and this will be done through five topic working groups, an International Expert Network, three major interactive events and Internet outreach.

The intention is to be as inclusive as possible and to embrace within CARBOPEAT all of the major actors and audiences that have an interest in tropical peatland and peatland globally. Everyone who has carried out peatland research in the tropics or elsewhere in the world, or who is involved in policy formulation and implementation, is welcome to join CARBOPEAT. This can be done in one or more of several ways: (1) providing primary or secondary data to a Working Group; (2) participating in one or more of the three major events planned for Yogyakarta (August 2007), Tullamore (June 2008) and Kuching (August/September 2008); (3) providing interface or links with International Conventions and other bodies including NGOs; (4) assisting in the processing and dissemination of information; and (5) any other action that will help achieve the project objectives.

The first major event will be held in Yogyakarta from 27-31 August 2007 and this will also be the venue of a major symposium on tropical peatland that will be sponsored by BAPPENAS and opened by the Indonesian Vice President. A pre-symposium stakeholders’ meeting and field excursion will be held in Central Kalimantan, the International Peat Society will organise a fact-finding mission to Indonesia and hold an Executive Board meeting at Yogya, and a post symposium/workshop meeting is planned to Riau or West Kalimantan.

IMCG members are most welcome to join the field excursion; the necessary invitations and arrangements can be provided.

Susan Page, sep5@le.ac.uk

Jack Rieley, jack.rieley@btinternet.com