Bringing peatlands into focus at COP31

Taking place from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) is the world's main annual forum for international climate negotiations, bringing countries together to advance efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and mobilise climate finance. 

The Greifswald Mire Centre and its partners are contributing to a series of events at COP31. Below is an overview of the events in which we are participating.

All times are local to Antalya, Türkiye (UTC+3).

11 November | 15:00–16:00 | Ukraine Pavilion
 Peatland Twinning – Working Together to Restore Peatlands for Nature and Climate

The partnership between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany and Ukraine’s Chernihiv region takes centre stage in this discussion, with participation from Jan Peters and Olga Denyshchyk (Michael Succow Foundation, Partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre). The event explores how knowledge exchange, sustainable land use and innovative financing can advance peatland restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

14 November | 13:15–14:45 | Side Event Room 5, HATTUŞA, Blue Zone
 Accelerating Finance for Climate & Nature Action, featuring the launch of the Peatland Breakthrough

Coorganised by the Michael Succow Foundation / Greifswald Mire Centre and partners, this event brings together governments, financial institutions and international organisations to accelerate investment in peatlands. The launch marks the start of the Peatland Breakthrough’s implementation phase, connecting peatland project pipelines with potential financial partners.

More about the Peatland Breakthrough

16 November | 12:00–13:30 | Main Stage, Indonesia Pavilion
 Governing Tropical Forests and Peatlands under Climate Change: From Fragmented Policies to Integrated Landscape Action

Elisabet Rams Beltrán (Michael Succow Foundation, partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre) contributes our perspective on the scientific evidence needed to strengthen peatland protection, restoration and climate resilience. The session examines how science, policy and local action can support more integrated and inclusive management of tropical forests and peatlands.

16 November | 15:30–16:15 | Estonian Pavilion
 Peatlands for Climate, Biodiversity and People: Practical Pathways for Responsible Management and Restoration

This event will bring together experts from science, government, the private sector and restoration practice to explore sustainable peatland management, innovative financing solutions and opportunities to scale up restoration across Northern countries.

17 November | 14:45–15:30 | Türkiye Pavilion, Salon 3, Blue Zone
 From Climate Ambition to Ecosystem Action: Wetlands as a Bridge Across the Rio Conventions

Jan Peters, Managing Director of the Michael Succow Foundation, a partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, joins this panel to explore how wetlands connect climate action, biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and water security. The discussion brings together local, regional and global perspectives on turning commitments into practical action.

17 November | 15:00–16:00 | Ukraine Pavilion
 From Peatlands to Carbon Markets: Unlocking Nature-Based Climate Solutions through Article 6

This discussion explores how international cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can support long-term financing for peatland restoration in Ukraine, linking biodiversity conservation with climate action.