Latvia has a significant opportunity for climate action and biodiversity conservation through peatland restoration. Peatlands cover about 10% of Latvia’s land area and are mostly concentrated in the country’s bogs, fens, and mires. However, many of these peatlands have been degraded due to past drainage for agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction. Restoring Latvia’s peatlands can help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increase biodiversity, and support sustainable water management.

Importance of Peatland Restoration in Latvia

• Climate Mitigation: Degraded peatlands release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) into the atmosphere, contributing to Latvia’s overall GHG emissions. Restoration can re-establish their role as carbon sinks, storing carbon over the long term and reducing national emissions.

• Biodiversity Conservation: Latvian peatlands provide critical habitats for a variety of species, including unique plants, insects, and birds. Restoration can protect and enhance habitats for these species, some of which are rare or endangered.

• Water Quality and Flood Control: Healthy peatlands help regulate water flow, improve water quality by filtering pollutants, and reduce flooding risks. By restoring degraded peatlands, Latvia can better manage water resources and support resilience to climate impacts such as extreme weather.

Current Restoration Initiatives in Latvia

Several national and international initiatives are already underway to restore peatlands in Latvia:

• LIFE Peat Restore: This EU-funded project focuses on the restoration of degraded peatlands across the Baltic region, including in Latvia. The project aims to rewet peatlands, restore native vegetation, and monitor GHG emissions to assess the climate benefits of restoration.

• Latvian State Forests: This organization manages a large proportion of Latvia’s land and has started to integrate peatland restoration as part of sustainable land management. They focus on rewetting degraded peatlands in forest areas to restore their ecological and climate functions.

• National Climate Policy: Latvia’s national policies, aligned with the European Green Deal and the EU’s climate goals, increasingly emphasize peatland restoration as a method to meet GHG reduction targets and enhance natural carbon sinks.

Key Steps for Expanding Peatland Restoration in Latvia

• Mapping and Assessing Degraded Peatlands: A comprehensive survey of Latvia’s peatlands can help identify areas most in need of restoration. Mapping degradation levels and carbon stocks allows for prioritization of high-impact restoration projects.

• Developing Restoration Methodologies: Implementing restoration techniques like rewetting (blocking drainage ditches), reintroducing native plant species, and monitoring carbon sequestration can be optimized based on local conditions. Utilizing guidelines from the EU and international peatland projects will ensure best practices are followed.

• Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging local communities, landowners, and industries involved in peat extraction is essential to successful restoration. Education and outreach can foster support, while compensation or alternative livelihood options for stakeholders may be needed to secure long-term success.

• Leveraging Funding and Policy Support: EU funding programs like LIFE and Horizon Europe, as well as climate finance mechanisms, provide financial support for restoration projects. Additionally, integrating peatland restoration goals into Latvia’s national climate and biodiversity strategies can attract investment and encourage cross-sector cooperation.

• Monitoring and Verifying Climate Benefits: Setting up monitoring systems to measure changes in GHG emissions, water levels, and biodiversity in restored areas will help quantify the climate benefits. Certification through programs like Verra’s VCS or the European Peatland Restoration Standard could provide additional credibility and allow for potential carbon credits.

Benefits of Peatland Restoration for Latvia

• Reduced GHG Emissions: Rewetting peatlands reduces CO₂ emissions from drained areas and may mitigate methane release, helping Latvia reduce its climate footprint.

• Enhanced Biodiversity: Restoration brings back native plants and animals, creating healthier ecosystems.

• Economic Opportunities: Certified carbon credits from peatland restoration could provide new revenue streams, and ecotourism focused on restored peatland areas could offer economic incentives for conservation.

• Improved Water Quality and Flood Control: Restored peatlands enhance water quality and support Latvia’s adaptation to climate-related challenges like increased rainfall and flooding.