Rewetting for Resilience: New Policy Brief in ALFAwetlands

The joint Final Conference of the Horizon Europe projects ALFAwetlands and REWET, held this September 2026 in Brussels, marked the conclusion of more than four years of research on wetland conservation and restoration. Bringing together over 110 policymakers, researchers, restoration practitioners and other stakeholders, the event looked ahead: how can the knowledge generated by the projects support effective wetland restoration across Europe? 

Two key publications were presented at the conference.  Marie Lorenz, peatland specialist at Succow Foundation, highlighted the ALFAwetlands Policy Brief, Rewetting for Resilience: Cost-Effective Strategies for Restoring Agricultural Peatlands. 

“The Policy Brief shows, how rewetting agriculturally used peatlands delivers exceptional climate benefits as well as biodiversity recovery and how paludiculture - the productive use of wet peatlands - could transform restoration economics into viable business opportunities aligned with EU climate neutrality”, says Marie Lorenz from Michael Succow Foundation / Greifswald Mire Centre. 

Although they cover only a small part of Europe’s farmland, drained peatlands produce a large share of agricultural emissions. Rewetting them can therefore help Europe meet its climate goals while improving water storage and making landscapes more resilient to droughts and floods. 

The Policy Brief calls for three actions: restore peatlands in ways that support nature, prioritise the areas with the greatest potential to reduce emissions, and make rewetting financially attractive for landowners. It also highlights paludiculture as a way to keep land productive after rewetting. Meaning paludiculture should be integrated into restoration policies and markets, helping to lower financial barriers and support a circular, low-carbon economy. 

Alongside the Policy Brief, the conference introduced the joint White Paper, Prioritizing Wetland Conservation and Restoration in Europe, developed by seven EU-funded wetland projects. It sets out priorities to speed up wetland restoration across Europe. 

A field visit to the ALFAwetlands Dijle Valley Living Lab in Belgium complemented the Brussels discussions. Participants learned about restoration and management measures at site, as well as the scientific monitoring undertaken by project partners and local stakeholders. 

Through research, monitoring, modelling, Living Labs and co-creation with stakeholders, ALFAwetlands has contributed new knowledge on restoration pathways and their climate, biodiversity, social and economic implications. In parallel, REWET has explored how the restoration and sustainable management of terrestrial wetlands can reduce emissions, maximise carbon uptake and respect natural processes and biodiversity. 

The Final Conference therefore represented more than the end of two projects. It created a platform for continued exchange among the European wetland restoration community and highlighted resources that can continue to support authorities, land managers, researchers and practitioners. By connecting science, policy and practice, ALFAwetlands and REWET leave a shared legacy for healthier, more resilient European landscapes. 

 About ALFAwetlands
ALFAwetlands – Wetland Restoration for the Future is a Horizon Europe research project working to improve the geospatial knowledge base of European wetlands, evaluate pathways for wetland restoration incorporating co-creation processes, and provide information and sustainability indicators to maximize climate change mitigation, biodiversity and other benefits.  

ALFAwetlands FACTSHEET 2026: [Link]  

About REWET  
Website: alfawetlands.eu REWET – REstoration of WETlands to minimize emissions and maximize carbon uptake is a Horizon Europe project focused on the sustainable restoration and conservation of terrestrial wetlands. Through its network of Open Labs, REWET investigates wetland restoration, greenhouse gas dynamics, biodiversity, monitoring  

Website: https://www.rewet-he.eu/