As Germany grapples with increasingly frequent heatwaves, the President of the German District Association (DLT), Achim Brötel, is advocating for a significant increase in efforts to re-wet drained peatlands. Brötel emphasized the critical role of peatlands in groundwater replenishment and natural water storage, highlighting the urgent need for improved water management strategies.
Speaking to publications within the Funke-Mediengruppe, Brötel stressed that the large-scale restoration of peatlands must be both economically viable and socially acceptable. To facilitate this transformation, he called on the federal government to establish stable and consistent funding mechanisms.
Brötel suggested the creation of a “Peatland Transformation Fund” as a dedicated resource. He pointed to the infrastructure funds earmarked by the federal government to achieve climate neutrality as a suitable source of initial investment. These funds, he argued, represent a logical starting point for supporting peatland restoration initiatives. The DLT President underscored the importance of a carefully considered approach to ensure the long-term success and widespread adoption of peatland restoration projects.