wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group

FRAMEWORK FOR WISE USE129(2) International co-operation: Formalchannels of co-operation exist in the UnitedNations and its constituent bodies; in otherinternational organisations; and through andbetween NGOs 27 . It is through such cooperationthat agreement can be reached onglobal plans, structures for co-operation, andmonitoring progress. It can also lead tointernational standardisation of terminology,compilation of comparable data, and agreedcriteria for attaching importance to mires andpeatlands.The organisations sponsoring this documentshould take the lead in implementation byputting in place a mechanism whereby theactions at international level are (i) initiated,(ii) given target time-scales forimplementation, and (iii) monitored.(3) Guidelines for Global Action onPeatlands28 (GGAP): A specific example ofan instrument in international co-operationis the “Guidelines for Global Action onPeatlands (GGAP) (§1.4). The principal“themes” identified in the GGAP aresummarised in Chapter 1.(4) Certification: Other industries includingforestry and hydropower have drawn upsystems for encouraging environmentallyacceptable ways of conducting theirbusiness. In the case of hydropower 29 a setof ethical considerations, recommendationsand guidelines has been compiled. In thecase of forestry 30 a system of certification hasbeen established. The essential elements ofthe forestry system are a set of Principles andCriteria to be followed in harvesting forestryproducts; the establishment of certifyingorganisations; and a Forestry StewardshipCouncil to accredit certifying bodies.The system gives assurance to consumersthat if they buy certified products these havebeen produced or harvested in accordancewith accepted environmental principles. Itgives assurance to wholesalers and retailersthat they will not be subjected to negativepublicity or campaigns. It gives the industrya context within which it can operate withpredictability. It gives those interested inprotecting the environment a way of usingmarket forces to control or eliminatedestructive processes and to change the wayof thinking of the industry. The negatives ofsuch a system include (a) for industry thecost; (b) for environmentalists the fact that itcontrols but may not eliminate the harvestingof virgin forests or the flooding of valleys;and (c) there remain markets in whichuncertified products can be sold. Ecolabellingcan be used as part of such a system.Eco-labelling is a process by which an agreedauthority certifies that a product has beenproduced in an environmentally friendly way.The peat industries, including extraction,agriculture and forestry might or might notlend themselves to certification systems.Such a system is, however, an availableinstrument to be considered.5.6.2 Instruments at regional levelinvolving groups of countriesA number of regional bodies have been setup by groups of countries in different partsof the world. They have available to themsimilar instruments to those available atinternational and national levels. For exampleregional international law can be establishedby treaties between these countries, theycould agree on common licensing systemsand they could co-operate on theestablishment of protected areas.5.6.3 Instruments at a national level(1) Public policy and administration: Eachcountry should provide a context of nationalpolicies within which Wise Use decisions canbe made. National policies should coverenvironmental protection, land use planning,the development of industry and agriculture,property rights and other relevant matters.