When We Talk About Drought, We Must Talk About Water

28/06/2026  Wet and rewetted peatlands play a key role in making landscapes more resilient to increasing periods of drought and extreme weather events. Although total precipitation levels remain similar to previous levels, they are distributed more unevenly. Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and long periods of drought are on the rise.

A recent information paper explains in detail how peatlands regulate the landscape’s water balance, which factors determine their water storage capacity, and what role rewetting plays in flood control and climate protection. It also outlines the conditions under which rewetting can be successfully implemented and the challenges involved.

Peatland restoration is essential for climate protection: To achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2045, approximately 80,000 hectares of peatlands would need to be restored annually. In particular, the removal of artificial drainage systems is crucial to this effort.