The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) released the Peat-Emit Report 2026 to improve the accuracy of greenhouse gas emission estimates from peatlands.
The report introduced updated emission factors and identified data gaps to strengthen climate monitoring, especially in developing countries.
Peatlands cover only 3–4% of Earth's land surface but store around 30% of global soil organic carbon (about 450–650 gigatonnes).
Drained, degraded, or burnt peatlands release large amounts of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), contributing to climate change.
The Peat-Emit project compiled 560 emissions and removal data points from developing countries, improving the evidence base for greenhouse gas assessments.