Attitudes of German farmers toward the conversion of agricultural land for climate protection measures – The example of peatland rewetting

This research project, funded by Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, examines how farms respond to the conversion of peatlands for climate protection measures and what conditions favor successful implementation. The focus is on the rewetting of agriculturally used peatlands and the establishment of paludiculture as a potentially economically viable option for subsequent use. The project examines how attractive a compensation mechanism for the provision of land for rewetting is to farmers and which characteristics of the compensation mechanism are decisive for their willingness to participate. In addition, the project aims to identify the skills, framework conditions, and motivations that farms need to introduce paludiculture and where targeted support is required.

The project aims to develop practical recommendations for efficiently designed compensation mechanisms and needs-based support services in order to make peatland rewetting economically viable and socially effective. The results should contribute to the achievement of national and European climate protection goals by providing evidence-based foundations for funding policies and transformation strategies in the agricultural sector.