Commission on Ecosystem Management

The Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) is one of IUCN’s six Commissions.

The CEM promotes ecosystem-based approaches for the management of landscapes and seascapes, provides guidance and support for ecosystem-based management and promotes resilient socio-ecological systems to address global challenges.

Within CEM there are a number of specialist groups tackling issues relating to 14 broad ecosystem types (below). The Peatland Ecosystems Specialist Group aims to highlight the benefits of peatland ecosystems and explore new funding opportunities for peatlands based on ecosystem services.

Organisational structure of IUCN's Commission of Ecosystem Management

The Peatland Ecosystems Specialist Group encompasses a truly international network of experts, sharing good practice, building consensus on science and encouraging national strategies for action to deliver peatland conservation and restoration. The group works closely with other international peatland initiatives (e.g. International Mire Conservation Group, UN FAO) to ensure synergy and provide added value.
The IUCN UK National Committee Peatland Programme provides the secretariat to support the group.

Overall purpose of the Peatland Ecosystems Specialist Group

To provide good practice advice and information aimed at peatland conservation/restoration action to support delivery of biodiversity, climate change and water objectives.
To support knowledge exchange with/between partners on peatland management and funding opportunities.
To assist the scientific community in recognising, identifying and describing peatland ecosystems wherever they occur.
To support countries in adopting strategic policies for peatlands and to assess progress of peatland ecosystem management towards biodiversity and climate change targets.

Previous outputs of the Peatland Ecosystems Specialist Group include:

Demonstrating success: three publications (one UK and two global) highlighting positive peatland management case studies from around the world.
Leading on global motions on peatlands such as IUCN Resolution 43: Securing the Future for Global Peatlands (Note: The original proposal was Resolution 46 which was renamed Resolution 43 when adopted).
Supporting the work of the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Current Work 2017-2023

Updating the IUCN UK PP Peatland Projects Map to:
- Digitise the existing projects within Global Demonstrating Success.
- Add new examples of international good practice ecosystem management on peatlands.
- Collaborate with and create links to other international programmes which are seeking to promote best practice such as the Global Peatlands Initiative, Wetlands International and Ramsar.
Monitoring IUCN Resolution 43: Securing the Future for Global Peatlands. The CEM Peatland Ecosystems Specialist Group will track the uptake and application of the motion globally in legislation, policy and guidance through working with IUCN National Committees and country peatland experts. As part of this work, case studies and good examples of where land use and peatland policy are being aligned to promote sustainable land use will be collated and fed into the Peatland Projects Map.