European Peatlands Initiative officially launches to strengthen peatland action across Europe

Healthy peatlands are essential allies in addressing some of Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges. They store carbon, provide habitats for specialised biodiversity and play an important role in regulating water. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems at scale, however, requires effective cooperation across national borders, sectors and communities. 

The European Peatlands Initiative (EPI) has been established to support exactly this cooperation. Advised by the UNEP-coordinated Global Peatlands Initiative, the EPI brings together governments, the European Commission and stakeholders from across Europe. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, support evidence-based policymaking, foster innovation and help translate shared ambitions for peatlands into coordinated action. 

From COP26 to a European initiative 

The official launch represents the culmination of a process that began at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, where the foundations for stronger European cooperation on peatlands were laid. 

An important part of the preparatory work was supported through the EUKI-funded “Building the European Peatlands Initiative” project. 

Implemented by  Eurosite – the European Land Conservation Network together with the Michael Succow Foundation, partner in the Greifswald Mire Centre, the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) and CEEweb for Biodiversity, the project contributed to establishing the structures needed for long-term European cooperation on peatlands. 

Among other activities, the project partners supported the development of the EPI Preparatory Group and helped create the foundations on which the new initiative can now build. 

EPI membership is now open 

With the official launch, the European Peatlands Initiative is entering its next phase – and membership is now open. 

Governments, NGOs, research institutions, universities, farmers’ and landowners’ organisations, businesses and other organisations working on or connected to peatlands across Europe are invited to become members. 

Through broad participation and cooperation, the EPI aims to strengthen the European peatland community and support the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of these vital ecosystems. 

Learn more about the European Peatlands Initiative and become a member: 
europeanpeatlandsinitiative.com