The Power of Nature‐Based Solutions: How Peatlands Can Help Us to Achieve Key EU Sustainability Objectives

Abstract

Peatlands are lands with a peat layer at the surface, containing a large proportion of organic carbon. Such lands cover ≈1 000 000 km2 in Europe, which is almost 10% of the total surface area. In many countries, peatlands have been artificially drained over centuries, leading to not only enormous emissions of CO2 but also soil subsidence, mobilization of nutrients, higher flood risks, and loss of biodiversity. These problems can largely be solved by stopping drainage and rewetting the land. Wet peatlands do not release CO2, can potentially sequester carbon, help to improve water quality, provide habitat for rare and threatened biodiversity, and can still be used for production of biomass (“paludiculture”). Wisely adjusted land use on peatlands can substantially contribute to low‐emission goals and further benefits for farmers, the economy, society, and the environment.

Drainage Canals in Southeast Asian Peatlands Increase Carbon Emissions

“…Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the potential of peatland hydrological restoration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Leifeld et al., 2019; Morecroft et al., 2019; Tanneberger et al., 2020; Wilson et al., 2016). Drainage maps, combined with water management information regarding drainage control or rewetting, can be used to improve models of peatland water and carbon dynamics including more accurate emissions factors (Tiemeyer et al., 2020).…”

Assessment and Spatial Planning for Peatland Conservation and Restoration: Europe’s Trans-Border Neman River Basin as a Case Study

“…For example, peatland re-wetting combined with paludiculture can provide win-win-options for various aspects of society, including social (additional employment in rural areas), economy (alternative incomes in agriculture), and environment (ecosystem services, substitution of fossil resources). Peatland conservation and restoration cuts across most United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and should be an instrumental part of the European Green Deal [16].…”

“…Thus, the payment schemes should be changed to support fit-for-purpose interventions described in the CAP strategic plans. For an overview of the different policy options for peatlands in the CAP, see Tanneberger et al [16]. However, beneficiaries within the EU are individual farmers that operate as business enterprises.…”

“…Globally, the European continent has suffered the greatest losses of peatlands, both in absolute and relative terms [12,15,16]. Since the beginning of the 18th century, many European peatlands have been drained for intensive agriculture and forestry [17], as well as for peat extraction [3].…”

Impact of peat industry development on regional sustainability

“…Considering peat only as fuel and fertilizer in modern conditions is inappropriate, and many scientists in their works substantiated the multidimensional effect of the peat industry development, especially concerning the regional economy and its use as a local raw material to ensure sustainable regional development (Tanneberger et al, 2021). The value of peatlands to a healthy environment, soil fertility, biodiversity, freshwater conservation, prevention, and climate change mitigation is undeniable.…”