In Germany and particularly in the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there are approximately 300,000 hectares of peatland, a large part of which was drained from 1960 to 1990 for intensive farming. Peatlands are the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir and play a critical role in the ecosystem and services; they minimize flood risk, ensure safe drinking water, mitigate the effects of climate change, preserve biodiversity, among others.
Since 2021, local government and organisations have been to establish near-natural peatland ecosystems as well as the rewetted peatlands. However, spatial planning still faces challenges. In particular, the EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) makes it difficult for rewetted peatland to compete.
Stakeholder participation and co-creation of a desirable future for these areas are critical: this case will allow transformative solutions to be identified.
