WELCOME TO THE
European Peatlands Initiative
Peatlands are the climate champions we need in this Decade of Restoration.
The European Peatlands Initiative (EPI) is a strong European network uniting governments, the European Commission and stakeholders to conserve, restore and sustainably use peatlands for biodiversity, clean water, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience and neutrality. Join us!
WHY DO WE NEED A EUROPEAN PEATLANDS INITIATIVE?
Joining forces for Europe’s peatlands
Build momentum
To accelerate action and overcome barriers for the restoration, conservation and sustainable management of peatlands through a government-backed network.
Exchange knowledge
To drive exchange at the government level by sharing best practices and lessons learned, in addition to bridging the gap between scientists and policymakers.
Mobilise resources
To unlock resources and leverage transnational expertise for restoration of peatlands in demonstration projects.
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WHY FOCUS ON PEATLANDS?
Peatland Facts
Despite only covering around 3-4% of the planet’s land surface, peatlands contain up to 1/3 of the world’s soil carbon, which is twice the amount of carbon as is sequestered in the world’s forests.
Damaged peatlands cover just 0.3% of landmass, yet their emissions are estimated at 1.9 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to 5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
Peatlands can be found in almost all EU Member countries, with over 50% degraded and used for agriculture, forestry and peat extraction. The EU is the 2nd largest emitter of GHGs from drained peatland.
PLAY OUR HISTORY
European Peatland Initiative at COP26
On the final day of COP26 at the Peatland Pavilion, four European ministers, supported by nine leading experts and farmers, came together for “Dialogues towards a European Peatland Initiative” to discuss the importance of peatlands and the crucial role European collaboration plays in protecting and restoring them.
What the experts are saying.
Svenja Schulze – Former Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in Germany
Peatland protection is effective and inexpensive. It is important for countries to learn from one another and join forces to address peatland conservation.
Dianna Kopansky – UN Environment Global Peatlands Initiative
We can do it, but only by working together – collaboration is the key – a lesson beautifully captured in this dynamic collection of learnings, reflections, recommendations and valuable nudges that mean we do not need to start from scratch. We don’t have time for that! Nature needs time to heal, and the same is true for peatlands, so let’s get to work – share, join up, inspire and exchange for the benefit of all.
Malcolm Noonan – Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Government of Ireland
By sharing all of our work and experience on peatlands, through different forums with the scientific community, existing peatland projects, institutions, governments, landowners and communities across Europe we can enhance the interfaces between science, policy and practice and move towards a positive outcome for peatlands across the continent.
