Top peatlands experts and representatives of 25 LIFE projects and 2 INERREG projects working on peatlands met in Berlin 26-28 April to present best practices and discuss a number of very important issues and current and future policy developments for peatlands restoration. The event was hosted by (NABU).
Peatlands are home to many rare and threatened species found nowhere else. They help to regulate our climate by storing carbon, reduce flooding and act as a buffer against pollution. But Europe’s peatlands are disappearing fast - today, only 10% are in good condition. Restoring and protecting peatlands can improve water retention and quality, store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve biodiversity. 7% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions come from drained peatlands used for agriculture or forestry. This must change!
In the two-day meeting, representatives of the LIFE Programme and other Commission services discussed with experts and project beneficiaries what the greatest challenges in the protection and restoration of peatlands in Europe currently are; how peatlands and land use can go hand in hand and what role the recently proposed EU nature restoration law plays in the current debate.
The event was physically attended by over 90 participants. The first day of the meeting wasand more than 800 people followed the event online, having also the possibility to ask questions.
A policy brief with the conclusions of the meeting is in the making. It will be shared with relevant Commission services and Executives Agencies and published on the CINEA website for wider use.
- Publication date
- 4 May 2023
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency