The NRL finals begin! On 5 October 2023, the first Trilogue on the Nature Restoration Law in Brussels begins. We need strict and binding targets for the restoration of peatlands and ensure a level of ambition in line with the overarching international climate and biodiversity commitments of the EU and preventing loopholes granted to Member States. The largest conference of peatland experts ever held took place in Antwerp in September 2023. At this conference, a declaration to Empower nature, climate and future now! was agreed and calls for joint urgent action to safeguard peatlands in Europe, on behalf of more than 90 signatories, representing EU funded projects, scientists, non-governmental organisations, land managers, etc.

This year's biggest European peatland symposium will examine the scientific, management and policy aspects of peatland restoration and conservation. Register now if you want to be part of the "Power to the Peatlands" conference in September 2023 (Belgium).

The PRINCESS project is carried out by leading research institutions throughout Europe. It categorizes and evaluates the effects of alternative land use options after peatland rewetting on key EU environmental policies: (1) as a measure to halt biodiversity loss, (2) as a nature-based solution for mitigating and adapting to climate change, and (3) as a management tool to reduce nitrate release and, thus, eutrophication. PRINCESS investigates the interaction of the two main important global change drivers and attempts to take advantage of the coupling between the carbon and nitrogen cycles to maximize benefits from rewetting peatlands.