CONSERVATION FINANCE ACCELERATOR

Duration 2023 and ongoing

Today, the pace and scale of peatland restoration are far from what’s needed to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. Eurosite is working to change that. Partnering with landowners, investors, and project developers, we’re developing scalable models to accelerate peatland regeneration—Europe’s most vital natural climate solution.

Critical challenges to this mission include:

• • Agricultural Dependency: Many peatlands were historically drained for farming, making restoration challenging for those whose livelihoods and identities are tied to these lands.
  • Risk Aversion: Uncertainty about future income from rewetted peatlands can deter stakeholders. Wet agriculture is still emerging, with limited income opportunities outside pilot projects.
  • Fragmentation: Peatland ownership is often scattered across regions, complicating large-scale restoration coordination.
  • Funding: While public funds are available, they aren’t enough. Private sector involvement is essential to bridge the funding gap.
  • Awareness: Unlike reforestation, peatland restoration remains a niche topic, under-recognised by policymakers and the public.
  • Capacity Building: Large-scale restoration requires significant seed funding. While mature projects attract financing, there’s a shortage of early-stage investment.

Peatland restoration is complex and involves technical, economic, and social factors.

Eurosite supports practitioners in developing investable peatland projects by connecting them with funders, raising awareness, and exploring innovative business models for rewetted landscapes. Our bespoke blended finance solutions allow landowners, land users, and local communities to share in the value of restored ecosystems.

Working with the Conservation Finance Network and the European Climate Foundation, Eurosite brings together diverse interest groups to develop restoration projects that rejuvenate communities, support sustainable farming, and reduce emissions.

To learn more, contact Inga Račinska, Eurosite’s Peatland Restoration Accelerator Coordinator, at iracinska@eurosite.org.

The development of the European Peatland Restoration Accelerator is supported by the European Climate Foundation. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lie with the authors. The European Climate Foundation cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained or expressed therein.