What is the Aeco Peatland Restoration Project?
The Aeco Peatland Restoration Project is all about bringing Europe’s drained peatlands back to life. By combining deep restoration know-how with smart financing, Aeco is tackling climate change head-on while boosting ecosystems. Peatlands might not be the flashiest landscapes, but they’re crucial—they cover 3% of the world’s land surface and hold a massive role in carbon storage. Unfortunately, half of Europe’s peatlands have been drained, mostly for agriculture, leading to significant CO2 emissions. Aeco steps in to reverse this trend by managing water levels and restoration efforts, turning these damaged areas into powerful carbon sinks once again.
Main Benefits and Key Facts
Here’s why peatland restoration matters—straight up:
- Drained peatlands cause about 5% of global CO2 emissions.
- Peatlands cover 3% of the world’s land surface.
- 50% of Europe’s peatlands have been drained for farming.
- Raising the water level by just 30 centimeters can cut CO2 emissions in half.
These numbers show the huge potential for climate impact. Plus, restoring peatlands supports biodiversity and helps fix disrupted water cycles. It’s a win-win for nature and the planet.
How Aeco Approaches Peatland Restoration
Aeco’s approach is hands-on and thorough. It starts with sourcing projects through partnerships across Europe, combining digital models with on-the-ground visits to assess feasibility. Then comes development—mapping out what construction and restoration measures are needed, estimating costs, risks, and the CO2 reduction potential. Financing is tailored for each project, with Aeco covering all development costs upfront. Once projects are ready, the carbon certificates generated are marketed to industry partners, ensuring transparent and meaningful climate action. Monitoring doesn’t stop there—continuous digital tracking and third-party validation keep projects optimized and accountable.
Who Benefits from Peatland Restoration?
The project creates value for a wide range of stakeholders:
- Land Stewards: They get long-term, additional annual payments for climate protection—no cost to them and they can keep farming if they want.
- Corporates: Access to premium, local carbon certificates that are transparent and backed by real, measurable projects.
- Investors: Opportunities for sustainable returns in a genuinely green asset class, with verified impact data.
- Restoration & Conservation Groups: Enhanced impact through collaboration, scalable private funding, and robust monitoring.
Spotlight on a Key Project: Polder Bauernhand, Germany
One standout project is Polder Bauernhand in Germany, covering about 108.9 hectares. This initiative is expected to avoid 8,800 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions over its lifetime, with around 550 tons avoided annually. It’s also the first to implement the innovative MoorFuturesflex methodology, setting a new standard for peatland restoration projects. This project perfectly illustrates how targeted restoration can deliver measurable climate benefits while supporting local ecosystems.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 13: Climate Action – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – through habitat restoration and biodiversity support.
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – by improving water cycles in peatland areas.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – via sustainable land management.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – through collaboration with local and pan-European partners.
Why Restoring Peatlands is a Game-Changer
Peatlands have been drained mainly for agriculture and forestry, which unfortunately releases a ton of stored carbon dioxide, worsening climate change and messing with water cycles and biodiversity. Restoring these areas by raising water levels is crucial—not just for cutting emissions but also for bringing back wetland habitats that countless species depend on. Plus, the carbon credits generated from these projects offer a transparent, verifiable way for companies to offset unavoidable emissions. It’s a smart, nature-based solution that benefits everyone involved.
