Natural peatlands mitigate climate change

The Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (KNK) advises on funding programmes for the conservation and rewetting of peatlands.

Peatlands absorb and store large quantities of carbon over long timespans. Dead vegetation does not rot away quickly but is transformed slowly under the surface of the water into peat, which can store carbon for very long periods of time. While peatlands function as ‘carbon sinks’ in this way, they lose this ability when they start to dry out – as is the case when they are drained for human agricultural use, for example.

Intact peatlands are not just important carbon sinks, however, but also play an equally important role for water management. By storing water, they can help prevent flooding, for example, or decrease the impact of periods of drought. Last but not least, they also offer a habitat for many animal and plant species, and therefore help to conserve biological diversity. 

The state of play for peatlands in Germany

More than 90 percent of peatlands in Germany have been drained for agricultural or forestry applications. These centuries of drainage have transformed peatlands into arable land or pasture, or sites for peat extraction. Once drained, peatlands start releasing their carbon: in 2020, these emissions amounted to around 53 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in Germany. This means that drained and degraded peatlands contribute to around 7.5 percent of total national greenhouse gas emissions.  

What action can be taken to conserve peatlands?

Action is needed most urgently in the rewetting of peatlands that have been used for agriculture or forestry. Measures required here include conservational peatland management that avoids drainage, stopping peat extraction, and returning peatlands to their natural state both inside and outside protected areas. The Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action provides information about compatible funding programmes, offering both support and dialogue to interested parties.

Funding calls in the field of action