Programme

The programme of Power to the Peatlands 2026 is currently under development. While the detailed schedule and speakers will be announced later, the thematic framework and overall structure of the conference are already defined.

From 2–4 September 2026, the conference will bring together scientists, policymakers, land managers, practitioners, NGOs, communicators and private sector representatives to advance peatland restoration across Europe, with a strong focus on implementation of the European Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR).

Programme structure

The conference spans three days and offers a dynamic mix of formats designed to encourage learning, exchange and collaboration.

Day 1 & Day 2 – Main conference programme

The first two days take place indoors and combine plenary sessions with parallel tracks. Organised sessions and keynote lectures form the core of the programme, complemented by dedicated abstract blocks featuring short presentations to ensure broad participation and knowledge exchange.

Day 3 – Field visits

The third day is reserved for field visits, offering participants the opportunity to experience peatland projects and practices first‑hand.

Focus on implementation

Power to the Peatlands 2026 focuses on the HOW rather than only the WHAT. The programme will explore how scientific knowledge, policy frameworks and practical experience can be translated into concrete, feasible restoration actions.

Core themes

The conference programme will be structured around a set of internationally recognisable thematic pillars. These themes form the backbone of the programme and will be reflected across sessions, abstracts, keynotes and interactive formats.

Climate adaptation and mitigation

Biodiversity

Restoration in practice

Policy and green finance

Communication and engagement

Peatlands of the future

Keynote speakers

Dr Franziska Tanneberger

Dr Franziska Tanneberger is a peatland scientist and lecturer at Greifswald University and Director of the Greifswald Mire Centre, Germany. She studied landscape ecology and nature conservation at Greifswald and Reading universities. Her research links mire biodiversity, peat formation, paludiculture, peatland restoration, ecosystem services and carbon credits.

Franziska is editor of the "European Mires Book" (2017) and Coordinating Lead Author for Europe of the Global Peatlands Assessment (2022). She is member of the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) and the German Scientific Advisory Board for Nature-based Climate Action (WBNK). At the same time, she is active on the ground, e.g. by organising practical conservation work and fen mire mowing in a river valley in NE Germany since 2005. In 2024, Franziska was awarded the German Environmental Prize.

The Greifswald Mire Centre (GMC) is a science-policy-practice-interface of University of Greifswald, Michael Succow Foundation, DUENE and the Peatland Library foundation. About 150 peatland experts of various disciplines work at the GMC. The GMC maintains global peatland databased such as the Global Peatland Database (GPD) and is founding member of the Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI).

Li An Phoa

Li An Phoa is the founder of the Drinkable Rivers movement. She studied business administration, philosophy and systems ecology. She walked over 20,000 kilometres to campaign for a world with drinkable rivers. Li An's 1,000-kilometre walk along the River Meuse was the subject of the documentary Long Walk for Drinkable Rivers. She also co-wrote the book Drinkable Rivers: How the River Became My Teacher (2023), and she is the protagonist of the 2024 documentary film Our Blue World.

As well as being a long-distance walker and activist, Li An has set up a citizen science programme involving 95 organisations in 25 countries. She also initiated the cross-border 'Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse' network and 'Mayors for a Drinkable Thames' in the UK.

John Gormley

John Gormley is a former Irish Green Party politician who served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2007 to 2011. He was leader of the Green Party in Ireland from June 2007 until May 2011. His political network extends to the heart of modern European politics. He also brings his experience to the boards of Green Foundation Ireland, Sustainable Media Ireland and Dublin Community TV.

During his term as minister, he played a crucial role in the protection of Irish peatlands. His main contribution aimed to end peat cutting in protected areas in order to save biodiversity and mitigate climate change. Together with an immediate ban on manual turf cutting in 32 protected raised bogs, he initiated compensation schemes for households that relied on these bogs for fuel. He emphasised the value of peatlands as vital climate and water buffers, and supported initiatives to restore the natural value of cutaway peatlands.

Additional keynote speakers will be announced soon.

If you would like more information, please contact us directly at info@powertothepeatlands.com

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