Ireland hosted an event today, 8th of May, attended by several European Countries which will discuss the development of a European Peatlands Initiative (EPI) on the in Dublin. The events aim was to strengthen existing ties between countries whose joint aims are to create momentum for peatlands restoration, conservation, and sustainable management.
With a hope to launch the Initiative in 2024, participants at the Development Meeting, including the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection; the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, the Nature and Food Quality; UNEP Global Peatlands Initiative[1] discussed the next steps for the EPI, which will grow and change over time according to the needs and challenges for Europe’s peatlands.
The meeting today took place in the iconic Dublin Custom House and participants were addressed by Irish Ministers of State, Malcolm Noonan and Pippa Hackett. The participants will take a visit to a blanket bog restoration project in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The site is a collaboration between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Intel Corporation, featuring 60 hectares of drained bog re-wetted to increase water storage levels by 50-90 litres. This public-private project collaboration is one of the first of its kind in Ireland for water restoration and the protection of biodiversity.
The meeting brought together policy makers, experts and high-profile speakers to discuss the tremendous efforts being carried out for peatlands across European countries.
Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage:
“I firmly believe that collaboration and dedication are key to advancing peatland conservation and restoration. The Dublin meeting is poised to become a pivotal milestone for the European Peatlands Initiative, marking the beginning of a transformative and inspiring new chapter in our shared commitment to a sustainable future.”
Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine:
“It’s important for us to drive peatland conservation and preservation, as a shared effort with governments across Europe. The meeting in Dublin will serve as an important turning point for the European Peatlands Initiative as we move into the next phase of its creation.”
The Development Meeting marks a significant milestone for the EPI, as it transitions from the exploratory phase conducted by Bax & Company, on behalf of the Irish Government over the past year, which engaged over 150 participants across 15 countries, to the Preparatory Phase. The initial common vision for the EPI will be sharpened and defined over the next year before the launch in 2024.
[1] Other participants include the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture representing LIFE OrgBalt project and the Norway grants project E2SOILAGR; the Soil Conservation of Iceland, Eurosite, Michael Succow Foundation and the University of Galway.
