A note from the Chair

There has been a lot of activity since the IMCG Field symposium and General Assembly in Finland. In Peatlands International (2/06) several IPS members criticised both the field symposium and IMCG generally. In particular, articles by Markku Mäkelä and Kirsi Lauren criticised the IMCG comments about how few pristine peatlands remain and are reserved in Finland. On behalf of IMCG, I responded to these concerns, suggesting that problems had arisen over the definition of ‘pristine’ that we used to describe ‘remaining in a pure state, … primitive or original’ and that such a term had to apply to an entire mire complex, rather than to remnants or segments of that ecosystem.

The second point of contention arose over the fallacious assertion that peat is a renewable biofuel. The IPCC states in its 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: ‘peat is not considered a biofuel … due to the length of time required for peat to re-accumulate after harvest.’ And: ‘peat is treated as a fossil carbon … as it takes so long to replace harvested peat’. This is a position that IMCG fully supports. 

My response (on behalf of IMCG) to IPS criticisms and assertions was to be published in the current (1/07) issue of Peatlands International. Unfortunately, this did not happen and an apology has been issued by the Executive Board of IPS, with the letter appearing on the IPS website and newsletter. It will now be published in the next edition of Peatlands International.

This newsletter is a special edition devoted to some of the assertions that have been made by the peat industry to argue for peat being considered a renewable biofuel and responses to those assertions. It is an issue that will have major ramifications for peatland conservation, particularly in Scandinavia. This summary of the arguments will form the basis for discussions at a joint meeting of IMCG/IPS in Sweden on 28 June, where the issue of renewable biofuels is on the agenda. Please take the opportunity to read the arguments and forward any feedback you might have to the Secretariat.

Jennie Whinam

The valley of the Ak-Alakha river valley on the Okuk Plateau (Altai Republic, Russian Federation). The Ukok Plateau will be crossed by the Altai gas pipeline that will provide 60-80 bln. m³ of West Siberian gas to western Chinaevery year. Construction will start in 2008.                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Photo: Vladislav A. Zagorulko