Annual Report 2014 1 Contents Secretary General’s Review Report of the Executive Board Conferences and other events Members of the IPS Expenses and revenue of the IPS Balance sheet Date and signatures IPS Commissions and Working Groups Reports of Commissions IPS National Committees Reports of National Committees Auditor’s statement International Peat Society Kauppakatu 19 D 31, 3rd floor 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland www.peatsociety.org Annual Report 2014 Photos: Susann Warnecke, if not other photographer mentioned Editing and layout: Susann Warnecke, IPS Communications Manager; Fiona Mwacharo, IPS intern Contributions by IPS National Committees and Commissions 2 International Peat Society ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Secretary General’s Review events, projects and meetings around every single member of the Society Year 2014 – the world. remains to boost membership. Starting a We are happy with the successful The major projects for IPS and its International Peat Technology members, which were identified new era Symposium in Riga last August. in 2013, have been progressed. Hundreds of professionals, scientists One achievement that is worth “It is good to start when IPS and stakeholders met to extend mentioning is the compilation of is breathing in between the their networks and learn about “International Conventions, Agencies, International Peat Congresses”. the latest developments. The IPS Agreements and Programmes – These were the first words that I National Committees (the newest Implications for Peat and Peatlands was greeted with when I started my one in China) have been active and Management” by Jack Rieley, the position last May. I want to share are dealing effectively with peat and Chair of IPS Scientific Advisory Board. these spontaneous and encouraging peatland-related issues on a national This continuously updateble report but also, challenging words for many level. The IPS Commissions have not only answers to the needs of our reasons. worked well, covering all aspects corporate members but also, forms - from peatland conservation, a sound basis for future interaction The year 2014 was, indeed, halfway restoration and climate change to between IPS and the bodies that are between the two congresses - IPC peat use in horticulture and energy. included in the report. Stockholm 2012 and the next IPC in Kuching. It is delightful that IPS has One of the major tasks of 2014 was The tasks and goals of the Society become known due to the events to increase our membership. As the have been continuously discussed that take place every four years. year has come to an end, we can throughout the year. To me, as However, the words I was greeted conclude that this task remains very the new Secretary General, this with were rather astonishing to me challenging. The total membership reflects the openness and capability - IPS was only recognized from those figure has stayed practically the same of the Society to make further congresses. Important activities as in 2013, although fluctuations improvements and the need to better and day-to-day operations carry on within some of the National adapt to a changing environment. during the intermediate years, like Committees are remarkable. There In order to maintain and strengthen 2014, laying solid ground for bigger are pleasing exceptions and increases IPS as a forum that can be used events. They are not at all idle. in a few countries, especially in Asia. to expand the knowledge and However, some “old peat countries” As you can see from the following understanding of peat-related have decreased in membership. pages of this Annual Report, the science and practical applications, Perhaps the most important task of Society has been involved in many there is an ongoing challenge to The participants of the Annual Assembly 2014 in Riga. Photo: Ernests Dinka 3 develop the practices, structures and still needs to be made to improve resources for expanding project economy of the Society. At the end the advertising income. We continue administration. of the year, we decided to further to develop the electronic format It is my great honour to thank all examine the strategy and make of PI, according to the readers’ of the members for contributing revisions to improve IPS’ visibility and expectations. to the IPS goals and objectives in benefits for its current and potential The Income Statement of IPS shows a many ways. I am very grateful for members. surplus of €15,600 (2013: surplus of our devoted EB and the wonderful The last IPS Award of Excellence €44,800) for the 2014 financial year. experts in various IPS Commissions 2014 was presented to Professor This is mainly because of the smaller who I have come across during the Richard “Dicky” Clymo from the expenditure on costs, as well as the year. Special thanks are also owed United Kingdom for his lifetime welcomed 15% commission payment to the National Committee Chairs achievements in research and from the Riga Peat Technology and Secretaries. Your voluntary work fostering international cooperation. Conference. In past years, with full carries IPS. Of course, with warm This was awarded during the dinner staff, regular physical meetings and gratitude, I thank my colleague, at the IPS Annual Meetings in Riga. a printed magazine, IPS produced an Susann; Office Assistant, Sandra and The award has now come to an operating deficit of approximately Intern, Fiona at the IPS Secretariat. end and will be replaced by “Allan €20,000 annually. This was mainly We are anxiously waiting for Robertson Grants for Research due to unpaid membership fees, Tullamore – a new conversation Students and Young Professionals which needed to be covered by on peatlands with exciting new in Peatland Management”. These additional income. Funding remains a approaches in June. It will be great grants commemorate the long-term permanent challenge for the Society. to not only meet inside but also, honorary member, Allan Robertson, The total income of the IPS “by the fire and outdoors”. This will who passed away in February. was €166,600 (€205,200), with not only be a special experience but The electronic magazine, Peatlands expenditure amounting to €149,600 also, most interesting in the sense International, has proved to (€158,600). Bad debts amounted of professional interaction between be a success. In particular, the to €3,000 (€28,900), which were the participants. Please see more at electronic version has received mainly due to unpaid membership www.irishpeatsociety.ie and register! positive feedback for its increased fees. Adapting to this situation and All the best for 2015. publishing rate, easier sharing and adjusting our costs accordingly better accessibility. However, some was continued from the previous members would still prefer to read a year. This also led us to search for Hannu Salo printed version. Substantial savings in new external core funding and look Secretary General printing and distribution costs speak more seriously into project funding, since May 2014 for themselves, while some effort provided that it can bring in sufficient The Executive Board with the IPS staff in Riga, Lithuania. Photo: Sandra Lubinaite 4 International Peat Society ANNUAL REPORT 2014 Report of the Executive Board member countries are being handled the IPS Scientific Advisory Board. IPS Membership by the National Committees. Commission X on Peatlands and Climate Change now has a new chair, Membership development All National Committees are David Wilson. The reports of the encouraged to further promote the Commissions can be found in the As of 31 December 2014, the IPS student membership category within appendices and their contact details membership comprised a total their country and networks, and can be seen in a special section of of 1,462 (2013: 1,511) members to promptly provide membership this report. in 43 (41) countries. These were updates to the IPS Secretariat. 1,081 individual, 252 corporate, 27 institutional, 44 honorary (partly National Committees local) and 58 student members Main activities (appendix). IPS has most members The IPS is represented by 17 National now via its National Committees in Committees with a total of 1,412 Updated strategy and mission Germany, Finland, Indonesia, Poland (1,454) members, of which 12 statement and the Netherlands. operate in Europe, two in North America and three in Asia. These The new mandate/charter for the Our membership database is comprise 1,057 individual, 236 IPS, which replaces the old mission updated continuously by combining corporate, 13 research institute, 12 and vision, was approved by the information from the National governmental, 55 student and 39 National Assembly during the annual Committees and directly by our honorary members (partly local). meeting on 28 August 2014 and is members. The names of new now incorporated in the IPS statutes. members are regularly published The Chinese National Committee The new mandate/charter states: in Peatlands International and all was successfully established in IPS members are encouraged to ask 2014, led by Professor Meng “The International Peat Society is their friends and colleagues to join Xianmin from Northeast Normal an organization of corporate and the IPS. University. The National Committee individual members dedicated to the of Hungary was suspended due to responsible management and Wise All corporate and research institute a lack of membership fee payment. Use of peatlands and peat. members that pay full membership The membership of the National fees can nominate up to six Committees of Ukraine, Belarus It promotes the gathering, exchange contact persons who receive full and Russia remains suspended until and communication of knowledge membership benefits, including membership fees are paid. and experience. Peatlands International, Peat News and registration fee discounts at IPS Members in countries without a The Society serves all those conferences. National Committee interested in peat and peatlands including the scientific, industrial The online database for members on As of 31 December 2014, the IPS and commercial, and regulatory the IPS website was and continues had 24 individual, 16 corporate, communities.