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The ForPeat project has contributed to a new European white paper led by IUCN NL, bringing together the experience of several EU-funded initiatives to identify the policy actions needed to accelerate wetland and peatland restoration across Europe. Read more.
Strengthening Europe's commitment to wetlands and peatlands
Wetlands, including peatlands, are among Europe's most valuable ecosystems. They store carbon, regulate water cycles, support biodiversity, and help communities adapt to climate change. Yet decades of drainage, land-use change, and infrastructure development have left many of these ecosystems degraded, reducing their capacity to deliver these essential benefits.
Recognising both the urgency and the opportunity for restoration, the new white paper synthesises evidence from leading European research and innovation projects to support more effective policies for wetland conservation and restoration.
ForPeat joins European projects in shaping policy recommendations
Led by International Union for Conservation of Nature (Netherlands), the publication brings together the knowledge and practical experience of several EU-funded initiatives, including REWET, WET HORIZONS, ALFAwetlands, RESTORE4Cs, Wetland4Change, Palus Demos and ForPeat.
As a project dedicated to developing sustainable management and restoration practices for forested peatlands, ForPeat contributes valuable expertise on restoring degraded peatland ecosystems while balancing climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management.
Although European policies increasingly recognise the importance of ecosystem restoration, significant barriers continue to slow implementation. The white paper identifies four priority areas that can help bridge the gap between policy ambition and action:
- Improve policy coherence across sectors that influence wetlands.
- Mobilise public and private financing to support long-term restoration efforts.
- Enable landscape-scale implementation through integrated planning and governance.
- Strengthen monitoring systems and stakeholder participation to improve restoration outcomes and social acceptance.
These recommendations provide practical guidance for policymakers seeking to unlock the full potential of wetlands and peatlands in delivering climate, biodiversity, and water objectives.