The project aims to enhance climate mitigation and reduction of GHG emissions through improved pan-European collaboration for conservation and restoration of peatlands, sustainable agricultural use on peatlands and regeneration of healthy soils. It supports the pressing European climate protection efforts through socio- economically and ecologically sustainable conservation and restoration of peatlands. It will build-up a strong and sustainable European network of national governments and stakeholders exchanging knowledge on national peatland policies and strategies. Via international workshops and high-level networking events the objective is to create a European Peatlands Initiative in close cooperation with the Global Peatlands Initiative from United Nations Environment Programme. This project will foster decision-makers to base national strategies and policies on up-to-date peatlands data and best practice management and will improve pan-European cooperation between scientists, conservationists, private landowners and farmers networks. Through knowledge exchange and publications of maps institutional capacity in peatland-rich countries will be developed, with a special focus on Central and Eastern European countries. Guidance on emission reduction pathways will be provided for national peatland strategies. Farmers, private landowners and site practitioners who want to contribute to sustainable drainage-free peatlands will be supported through sectoral workshops and with tutorial videos in their own language. 

Michael Succow Foundation’s focus will be peatland policy and peatland geodata.