News & Events

As part of our continued commitment to advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and high-integrity climate action, the Global Carbon Council (GCC) has launched a 30-day global public consultation for its newest methodology: Rewetting of Dried Peatlands GCCMA003

This draft methodology, now open for stakeholder feedback, provides a robust framework to quantify and credit greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and removals from rewetting degraded peatlands—one of the most effective interventions for long-term climate mitigation.

Why Peatland Rewetting Matters

Peatlands, though covering only 3% of the Earth’s surface, store over 30% of global soil carbon. When drained or degraded, these ecosystems become significant sources of CO₂ and methane, contributing to climate change. Rewetting dried peatlands halts ongoing emissions from oxidation and peat fires while restoring the land’s ability to function as a carbon sink.

 About Methodology

The GCC NBS Methodology for Rewetting of Dried Peatlands GCCMA003 is designed for projects focused on restoring peatlands previously drained for anthropogenic use, such as agriculture or peat extraction. It enables carbon credit issuance for verified climate benefits derived from rewetting activities.

Key Features:

• Science-Driven GHG Estimation:
  The methodology applies water-table-depth-based modeling to estimate CO₂ and CH₄ emissions from peat oxidation and fires, using conservative default values supported by IPCC guidelines and recent peer-reviewed research.
• Eligibility Conditions:
  Applicable to dried peatlands in IPCC temperate climate regions that have remained unmanaged for at least 5 years. Agricultural activities on the restored land are excluded to preserve ecosystem integrity.
• Monitoring and Carbon Pool Accounting:
  It includes detailed guidance on stratification based on peat depth and vegetation and allows for flexible inclusion of relevant carbon pools such as above-ground biomass and dead wood.
• Monitoring and Leakage Provisions:
  The methodology outlines clear monitoring requirements to ensure transparency in field data collection. Its applicability conditions address potential leakage risks, ensuring the environmental integrity of credited activities.
• Buffer and Uncertainty Tools:
  The methodology uses GCC’s Non-Permanence Risk Tool (NPRT) and uncertainty discounting tool to ensure only conservative, verifiable emission reductions are credited.
• Complementary Tools:
  Integrated with a suite of GCC methodological tools for estimating carbon stocks, fire-related emissions, and uncertainty adjustments.

Public Consultation Process

We encourage all interested parties to review these methodologies and tools and provide their insights and feedback. Your feedback will be invaluable in refining these methodologies, further enhancing their robustness, transparency, and effectiveness in promoting sustainable development and climate action.

The 30-day public consultation period for this draft methodology begins on 17^th April 2025 and will remain open until 17^th May 2025. We invite stakeholders from across the globe—including project developers, civil society, scientists, and policymakers—to review the document and share feedback.

 How to Participate